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Jul 23, 2018Wear Red to Support Federal Employees (#RedForFeds) on Wednesday, July 25th!
This Wednesday, July 25th, federal employees across the country are asked to wear red in a nation-wide act of solidarity. Federal workers are standing up for their rights, including the right to legitimate representation, due process, and a meaningful voice in the workplace. The #RedForFeds event...
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Jul 13, 2018NFFE Correctional Employees Ratify Contract and Win Big
On top of a 17.5% wage increase over the life of the contract, employees covered under the contract have won a new paid time off (PTO) system as well as a commitment from GEO Group to seek out vendors for better quality uniforms.
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Jul 6, 2018Congratulations to the June Organizing Award Winners
We are fighting to protect federal workers from the onslaught of attacks to pay, benefits, jobs, and workplace protections that have been coming fast and furious in recent months. It is only dues-paying members that provide the resources to do so.
From the Desk of NFFE National President Erwinmore...

Jul 3, 2018Happy 4th of July!
Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. On this day 242 years ago, the Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were free of British rule and will govern themselves.
From the Desk of NFFE National President Erwinmore...

Jun 27, 2018NFFE Congratulates Brother Mike Gropman
The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) is pleased to announce that one of our valued members, Mike Gropman, was the recent recipient of the Sturdivant award, a prestigious honor in the labor community.
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Jun 20, 2018NFFE Local 1031 Celebrates 70th Anniversary
The union was formed after the end of World War II when many veterans came home from the war and sought employment with the federal government. These returned veterans quickly realized they needed to have a voice in the workplace and so FL 1031 was chartered.
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May 30, 2018FL 2152 Wins Big with BLM Organizing Campaign in California
Over the years, NFFE has continuously worked at organizing all BLM employees in California. After an agency re-organization almost 20 years ago, then a NFFE local merger about 15 years ago, there remained one group of Northern California BLM professional employees left without representation....
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May 23, 2018Legal Eagle, May 2018 Edition
WEATHER LEAVE AND TELEWORK: New Rules Updates -New weather and safety leave regulations are in effect at federal agencies. May 10, 2018 was the deadline for federal agencies to have new rules in place implementing the Office of Personnel Management’s guidelines.
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May 18, 2018Tell Your Senators to Vote ‘No’ on Gutting the VA
The VA Mission Act is a giant step toward dismantling the world-class VA health care system by allowing virtually unfettered access to private sector providers. That would mean large-scale privatization and the elimination of jobs. TAKE ACTION
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May 11, 2018NFFE-IAM Storms Capitol Hill for Federal Workers
The NFFE-IAM 2018 Legislative Week proved a huge success this week as NFFE members came to Washington, D.C. to fight for the financial and employment security of federal workers. Members attended more than 150 appointments with senators, representatives, and their staff over a four-day span.
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May 7, 2018NFFE Proudly Celebrates National Nurses Week
NFFE is proud to represent thousands of nurses who work at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DoD), and Indian Health Service (IHS). These dedicated professionals care for our nation’s veterans, active military, and our diverse native populations every day
From the Desk of NFFE National President Erwinmore...

May 2, 2018A Union Victory at Fort Irwin
NFFE Local 2035, representing U.S. Army employees at the Fort Irwin National Training Center, received multiple complaints from its bargaining unit employees regarding aggressive and violent behavior from a supervisor towards staff. After being rebuffed unjustly by Management, the Union invoked...
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Apr 20, 2018NFFE Fights to Save the Civilian Conservation Centers
Despite of the CCC’s success and the positive impact of the program on the lives of young people and rural communities, the administration targeted all 26 centers for closure in its FY 2019 budget--using manipulated data to make its case.
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Apr 13, 2018DoD Police Officers Ordered to Pay, Some Up To $54,000. NFFE Fights Back!
An administrative error discovered in 2017 indicted that DoD police officers at Camp Pendleton, California were mistakenly paid at a higher area pay rate for ten years. The fall out resulted in a 20% pay decrease for the entire department and a bill to each officer for backpay.
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Mar 30, 2018Gerald McCarty Named BR/Organizer, Southwest Region
“I am very excited to see what Jerry McCarty is going to be able to do for the membership of this union,” said Randy Erwin, NFFE National President. “Jerry has all the tools to be a successful BR/Organizer."
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Mar 23, 2018FY 2018 Funding Bill Passes; Trump Plays Games
The House and Senate have passed an Omnibus bill covering government spending until September 30, 2018. However President Trump is said to be considering vetoing the bill-- which could force a shutdown due to a funding lapse at midnight tonight.
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Mar 23, 2018POTUS Signs FY18 Funding Bill, Finally
The president signed the FY 2018 Omnibus funding bill to keep the government running until September 30, 2018, this afternoon. Next week, discussions regarding the FY 2019 appropriations bill will start. “We have a lot of work ahead of us,” stated Randy Erwin, NFFE national president.
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Mar 17, 2018Current CR Ends Friday; NFFE Fights Anti-Fed Provisions in Omnibus
"Much of the Omnibus negotiation is happening behind the scenes, away from the eyes of the American Public," stated NFFE National President Randy Erwin. "We push our way into those negotiations behind the scenes, we don't wait for an invitation."
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Feb 14, 2018Feds Under Fire: Trump Budget Policy Hits Hard for No Reason
“This proposal is a little bit of NSPS 2.0 and a lot of misguided and irresponsible ideology. It is very clear that this White House has no idea on how to run the federal workforce nor do they care about the financial wellness of working Americans," stated NFFE National President Erwin
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Feb 12, 2018NFFE-IAM 2018 Legislative Conference May 7-9th
The 2018 NFFE-IAM Legislative Conference will officially begin on May 7th and close in the evening on May 9th. The conference is hosted at the Hyatt Regency Washington, 400 New Jersey Ave, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20001. In brief, the opening session will begin on Monday, May 7th...
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Feb 7, 2018UPDATE: Thursday Midnight Shutdown Possible
To the shock of almost no one, the House and Senate are scrambling to keep the government from shutting down Thursday at midnight when the current Continuing Resolution (CR) expires. Find out: what we know, what we're doing and what you can do
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Jan 25, 2018Pay and Benefts Coming Under Attack by White House
A leaked document from the Office of Personnel Management cites the intent to set in motion an initiative to “bring Federal pay in line with the private sector” through $300 billion in cuts over the next ten years.
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Jan 25, 2018Shutdown Fever in Congress: What We Know
Congressional leaders indicate that at least one more CR can be expected this year-- while murky language surrounding future backpay for shutdowns, causes confusion.
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Jan 19, 2018UPDATE: Friday Midnight Shutdown Becoming More Likely
As the midnight deadline approaches for the current Continuing Resolution (CR), it seems there is no resolution in sight to prevent a government shutdown. Find out what we know, what we're doing and how you can prepare yourself going forward.
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Jan 17, 2018Friday Midnight Shutdown Remains a Possibility
The current Continuing Resolution (CR) expires Friday, January 19 at midnight. At this point, it is unclear if Congress has enough votes to agree to another short-term CR, which would fund the government until mid-February. There are holdouts from both parties making this round of CR...
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Jan 12, 2018Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On Monday, our country celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A day to reflect on the life and legacy of the great Dr. King, a leader who fundamentally reshaped the American attitude toward race and social justice, and in doing so, brought new meaning to the Constitutional phrase, “all men...
From the Desk of NFFE National President Erwinmore...

Dec 21, 2017Congress Passes CR Until Jan 19th
The Congress passed a short term Continuing Resolution (CR) today to keep the government running over the holidays. This CR expires on January 19, 2018.
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Dec 18, 2017New Mexico Membership Drive a Successful Team Effort!
Halloween and the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) events were the colorful backdrop for a week of membership recruitment activities at NFFE’s three Forest Service Locals based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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Nov 30, 2017Government Shutdown Update
There is still a lot unknown about the fate of government operations after the current Continuing Resolution (CR) expires on Friday, December 8.
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Nov 27, 2017VA-Labor Committee Stands Up to Respond to Multiple Threats
The VA-Labor Committee, first created in the late 1990’s, was brought to life again to address the never-ending attacks on the VA workforce. Currently the committee is working to stop HR 4243, the “Veterans Affairs Assets and Infrastructure Review Act of 2017”.
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Nov 21, 2017House Pubs Look to Expand Failing VA Workforce Law
NFFE is working with its coalition partners to stop an effort by a small group of anti-civil service House Republicans to expand the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Act to the rest of the government.
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Nov 21, 2017NFFE Fights Against Extended Probation Bill in the House
H.R. 4182, the “Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017,” requires a minimum two-year probationary period for new hires with the probation period clock starting after “formal training” programs or upon completion of a required professional license or certificate.
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Nov 9, 2017Local 125 and NFFE National Receive IAM Awards
Each year, the IAM celebrates the Wimpy Awards—named after the late International President William W. Winpisinger—to honor NFFE and IAM locals that take extraordinary measures in communications content and design.
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Nov 9, 2017Veterans: NFFE Thanks You For Your Service
Saturday, November 11th is Veterans Day, a day to honor military veterans and to acknowledge and show appreciation for the tremendous sacrifice that our cherished veterans have made in service to our country. This is an important time to take a moment to say ‘thank you’ to the veterans in...
From the Desk of NFFE National President Erwinmore...

Nov 1, 2017Unions Prevail! Federal Benefits Safe…For Now.
After aggressive lobbying from NFFE and its federal coalition partners, proposed cuts to federal employee pension and health benefits were deleted from the FY 2018 Budget Resolution-- passed by the House and Senate late last week.
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Oct 25, 2017NFFE Legislative Action Alert
The House and Senate will vote on a joint budget resolution that could open the door to reduce earned pay and cuts to benefits for federal employees. The final version of the joint budget resolution must be in identical form and agreed to by vote in the House and Senate.
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Oct 13, 2017Introducing NFFE General Counsel, Jeff Friday
Friday came to NFFE headquarters in December of 2016, replacing former General Counsel Stefan Sutich. Prior to joining NFFE, Friday served as the Assistant General Counsel at the Department of Defense Education Activity.
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Oct 3, 2017NFFE Legislative Action Alert
The House will vote on a budget (H.Con.Res. 71) this week that would open the door for Congress to make massive cuts to federal retirement, health benefits and take away the social security supplement.
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Sep 13, 2017NFFE Legislative Action Alert
Two very important pieces of legislation are coming down the pipe on Capitol Hill (H.R. 2810, H.R. 2997). Each contain harmful amendments and provisions, that will drastically impact federal employees. Click to learn more about NFFE's stance and ways to contact your US Representative.
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Sep 8, 2017NFFE: Keep Politics and Ideology Away from Science
NFFE supports the Science Protection Project. A new initiative launched by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS)-- providing a hotline for federal employees and allies to report any incidents that may diminish the role of science in federal decision-making.
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Sep 1, 2017Labor Day 2017 Message to all NFFE Members, Family and Friends
This month 100 years ago, NFFE was founded as the first labor union to represent federal employees. In 1917, there was no retirement system, working hours were poorly controlled, leave time was not standardized, Saturday was not recognized as a weekend day, and federal employees had not received...
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Aug 10, 2017New NFFE Membership Benefit
The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) is pleased to announce a new agreement with attorney Alan J. Shapiro to provide NFFE members with highly qualified legal representation for federal workers’ compensation claims and advice. Mr. Shapiro is a nationwide practitioner of federal...
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Aug 4, 2017FL 1904 Increases Membership by 27 percent in One Month!
NFFE locals throughout the country have made a renewed commitment to organizing in the last year; opting into NFFE’s new organizing donation program, developing strategic plans, and reaching out to every bargaining unit employee…and the hard work is paying off!
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Aug 2, 2017Unions Push Out OPM Director Nominee George Nesterczuk
In a great victory for all federal employees, the Trump nominee for OPM director, George Nesterczuk, withdrew his nomination for consideration yesterday. THANK YOU to all NFFE members who contacted their Senators in opposition to the Nesterczuk nomination!
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Jul 27, 2017NFFE and Coalition Partners Show Strength on Capitol Hill
Yesterday, The National Federation of Federal Employees and its coalition partners scored significant victories by ensuring that several amendments were not passed in two bills. The first amendment was proposed by Ron DeSantis (R-FL) to H.R. 3219 which would have implemented the draconian Holman...
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Jul 21, 2017Forest Service Council Grabs Bipartisan Support for Injured First Responders
The National Federation of Federal Employees is pleased to announce that Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), Rep. Peter King (R-NY), and Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) introduced the First Responders Fair RETIRE Act (H.R. 3303).If passed, this bill will correct a technical flaw in the law that leaves...
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Jul 17, 2017Urged by NFFE, Threatening Provisions Removed from FY18 NDAA
NFFE and our coalition partners have claimed a victory in combatting proposed legislation that would strip federal employees of their rights and benefits. We successfully urged the removal of language and provisions from the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that...
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Jul 17, 2017NFFE Continues Fight Against Air Traffic Control Privatization
The National Federation of Federal Employees is continuing to work diligently in our ongoing effort to ensure that the U.S. Air Traffic Control system remains to be operated solely for the public’s benefit and safety, not for the benefit of wealthy airline CEOs that will operate a privatized...
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Jun 26, 2017NFFE Local 1904 New Orleans VA Has Big Plans for Building Membership in 2017
With all the changes that have taken place in the last year, a number of NFFE locals throughout the country have been renewing their commitment to building membership in order to build strength. NFFE Local 1904, located at New Orleans VA Medical Center and some of the smaller VA facilities in...
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May 12, 2017NFFE Member Communications Advisory: Paid (Fake) Media on Official Time
Some NFFE members are receiving calls from local and national media reporters requesting information and perspectives from union members regarding federal official time. Many of these inquiries are devised by the Sinclair Broadcast Group, a known conservative media outlet for anti-labor forces...
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May 12, 2017NFFE Celebrates Successful Legislative Week
The National Federation of Federal Employees celebrated after a successful legislative week which took place May 8-11 in Washington, D.C. NFFE members took to the Halls of Congress to discuss federal official time, paid parental leave, VA employee rights, fair retirement benefits for first...
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May 9, 2017NFFE Celebrates Nurses Week
The National Federation of Federal
Employees would like to thank all of the nurses throughout the United States
for their dedication and hard work, especially during National Nurses Week.
Across the country, more than 100,000
federal nurses care for our...
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May 5, 2017Public and Private Pay Gap Continues to Widen
Last week, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report on the pay gap between federal employees and private sector workers. The CBO reports that federal employees with a professional or doctorate degree received fewer benefits and earned 24% less wages on average than private sector...
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May 1, 2017Down to the Last Day – Shutdown Averted
Friday, the Congress passed a short-term spending measure, or Continuing Resolution, to keep the government running for another week. The measure will provide funding for government operations through Friday May 5th, and it now seems congressional leadership will pass a longer funding measure...
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Apr 21, 2017NFFE’s Young Federal Leaders Program Re-Emerges
NFFE will be hosting a YFL call on Friday, April 28th at 2 PM (Eastern Standard Time). “Young Federal Leaders is such an important program for our union,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “With so many of our leaders throughout the country nearing retirement, we must be proactive...
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Apr 14, 2017NFFE Nurses Receive $100K for Unpaid Work
After a process that took two years, two nurses of the San Francisco Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center were granted well-deserved and long overdue compensation for unpaid work. Peter Scott and Edward Galvan, both of NFFE Local One, are PICIS experts, a software package which monitors severely...
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Apr 7, 2017Update on the Official Time Reform Act HR 1364
Congress leaves this week for a two-week recess without calling HR 1364 to the House floor for a vote. This is a huge victory for the unions and others, who understand that official time is an important labor-management tool that ultimately saves the government money and helps agencies succeed....
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Apr 7, 2017Join NFFE, IFPTE and Others in the March for Science
Get the bulletin board-ready news story, here . NFFE is invited to join IFPTE and other labor partners for the March for Science on Saturday, April 22 in Washington, DC. The March for Science aims to bring together scientists and concerned citizens alike in advocating...
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Apr 5, 2017Trump Administration Proposes over $6 billion in Cuts to HUD Budget
The National Federation of Federal Employees is standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters of Local 1450 and those working within The Department of Housing and Urban Development. We are obligated to fight the Trump Administration’s proposed budget, which will cut HUD funding by...
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Mar 31, 2017Prepare for a Possible Government Shutdown
The current Continuing Resolution (CR) — the legislative vehicle keeping the government running in the absence of 2017 appropriations — expires at midnight on April 28th. Senate Democrats have vowed to stop any attempt by Republicans to attach political provisions to future CR’s, even if...
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Mar 31, 2017$100K Settlement for NFFE Local 1998 Passport Workers!
NFFE members of Local 1998 have reason to celebrate this week, as the Union successfully negotiated a grievance settlement regarding performance awards issued by the Agency in 2015 and 2016. This settlement illustrates the value of NFFE membership with aggressive action by Local 1998, resulting...
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Mar 17, 2017Trump Proposes Draconian Cuts in Fiscal Year 2018 Budget
This week, the Trump administration released a framework for the FY 2018 federal budget. The budget framework requests an increase of $54 billion in discretionary funding for defense-related and other activities, and it ordered the same amount in decreases to domestic agencies and programs....
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Mar 8, 2017NFFE Celebrates International Women’s Day
Today, NFFE joins our sisters and women throughout the world in celebrating International Women’s Day. What began in 1908 as a means of honoring working women, International Women’s Day now stands to commemorate the sacrifices and contributions women make for our families, communities, and...
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Feb 10, 2017DoD Brings Changes to RIF Procedures
Many
NFFE DOD Locals have received the attached letter Policy and Procedures for Reduction in Force in the Civilian Workforce.
The policy is dated January 19, though you probably received it later. It was issued as a result of a change
in law contained in the National Defense...
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Jan 12, 2017$65,000 Settlement for Night Differential Pay to NFFE Members
At the end of 2013, President Elaine Downing of Local 2152 informed the NFFE National Office that Bureau of Land Management that some BLM-CA workers were being denied appropriate night differential pay while on fire incidents. In July 2015, Local 2152 filed a grievance on behalf of all BLM-CA...
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Jan 6, 2017The Holman Rule: Planting the Seeds of Corruption
Dating back to the late 1800s, the Holman Rule is a poorly crafted
piece of legislation that provides individual House members with wide latitude
to amend appropriations bills on the floor of the House. The rule also expands what can be amended on
the floor,...
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Dec 14, 2016In the Matter of Arbitration NFFE is Bar None
In the matter of arbitration, NFFE is best at representing its members, bar none. Dave Stamey, the newly elected NFFE Secretary Treasurer, was able to make two essential points that favored Local 12 NFFE-IAM members.
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Dec 7, 2016NFFE-IAM Members at Local 178 Receive Back Pay After NFFE Settles Class Action
The members of NFFE-IAM Local 178 learned the value of Union membership recently as the Union settled a class action grievance alleging that employees were improperly compensated under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). That grievance culminated at an event held in November in Edgewood,...
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Dec 1, 2016Your Right to Petition the Government
Under the 1st Amendment to the Constitution, citizens of the United States have the right to “petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Citizens do not lose their Constitutional rights when they become employees of the federal government. Congress has further protected those...
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Nov 18, 2016NFFE National President William Dougan Accepts Theodore Roosevelt Award
On Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, NFFE National President William R. Dougan was awarded and accepted the prestigious Theodore Roosevelt Award, the Office of Personnel Management’s highest honor, given to those that are courageous in defense of our nation’s merit principles. Dougan was presented...
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Oct 28, 2016Legal Eagle, October 2016 Edition
The Union filed a ULP charge alleging that the Agency dealt directly with employees on working conditions and illegally bypassed the Union when discussing an employee’s potential move to a different floor. An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) agreed with the Union. The Agency appealed the case to...
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Oct 26, 2016Post Covention NFFE Bylaws Changes
With the festivities of NFFE’s 50th National Convention coming to a close last month, delegates charted a clear path forward for NFFE over the next four years. Following the election of a new National Executive Council (NEC), delegates spent numerous days proposing, debating, amending and...
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Oct 19, 2016Scholarship Opportunities Abound for NFFE-IAM Members
With back-to-school season in the rear-view mirror, many families are setting their sights on college applications for themselves and/or loved ones. With student loan debt at an all-time high (and continuing its upward trend), enrolling in college is an increasingly daunting choice. The decision...
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Oct 13, 2016Meet NFFE's New National Executive Council
At last month’s 50th National Convention, delegates from NFFE Locals around the country elected the next National Officers of the National Federation of Federal Employees. The elected officers shall each serve four-year terms, beginning on December 15, 2016.
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Oct 6, 2016Bill Introduced to Make Federal Employees At-Will Workers
Becoming an at-will worker means several of the protections enjoyed by federal employees would disappear, including the right to appeal suspensions or terminations. Additionally, the bill seeks to prevent federal employees from earning a salary while conducting legally-mandated employee...
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Oct 4, 2016NFFE Delegates Gather for Convention, Elect New Leadership and Chart Path Forward
Last week, delegates elected from NFFE Locals around the country descended on Lake Buena Vista Palace outside of sunny Orlando, Fla. for NFFE's 50th National Convention. Delegates gathered to hear from a variety of government and labor leaders, elect new national leadership and chart the path the...
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Sep 28, 2016Convention, Day Two Recap
Following a morning focused on the ever-changing federal government landscape, IAM International President (IP), Robert Martinez, Jr., delivered an absolutely electric speech that brought delegates to their feet with raucous applause. In his remarks, IP Martinez reported on the successes of last...
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Sep 27, 2016Convention, Day One Recap
On the first day of the convention, delegates heard from a variety of speakers, including: Sen. Kristen Gillibrand, Sen. Jon Tester, IAM Legislative Director Hasan Solomon, Union Veterans Council Executive Director Will Fischer, National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) President David...
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Sep 14, 2016ACTION ALERT: Stand Up to Corporations Raising FLTCIP Premiums
With Congress imposing countless austerity programs on the federal workforce, the FLTCIP price spike comes at a time when federal employees have already sacrificed $182 billion in the name of federal deficit reduction. Rising healthcare costs are just one of the many reasons Congress and the...
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Sep 9, 2016Convention Delegates and National Candidates Now Available for Review
In just over two weeks, elected delegates from NFFE Locals across the country will descend on sunny Lake Buena Vista, Fla. for NFFE's 50th National Convention. A lot of planning goes into executing a successful convention, and NFFE National Staff have been eagerly preparing for the quadrennial...
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Sep 8, 2016NFFE Helps Chart Path Forward at IAM Grand Lodge Convention
Aspirational, well-informed strategic planning is the key to success in any organization. And that is exactly what delegates at the Grand Lodge Convention have been tasked to do this week. Convention delegates were broken out into industry clusters to discuss challenges the Union faces as well as...
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Sep 2, 2016It is Our Work that Binds Us
Every day men and women go to work to do the things that make our country great. Whether they wear a military uniform, suits or dresses, overalls, scrubs or religious garb, they share a common desire to do their part to make our country, and our world, a better place to live.
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Aug 30, 2016NFFE Takes on the U.S. Forest Service in Court over FOIA Practices
Despite the notorious USFS public information practices, NFFE has made numerous requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) on issues ranging from agency expenses incurred during contract negotiations to simple position descriptions for employees in the Cherokee National...
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Aug 24, 2016NFFE Secretary-Treasurer Erwin Elected Co-Chair of Federal Workers Alliance
Following a successful five-year tenure as the Chairman of the Federal Workers Alliance (FWA), NFFE National President William R. Dougan recently announced the resignation of his Chairmanship ahead of his anticipated retirement following NFFE’s 50th National Convention this September. And...
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Aug 19, 2016Assistance is Available to Union Members Affected by Louisiana Flooding
NFFE realizes that members of NFFE Local 1904 and their families have suffered loss and face uncertainty, now and moving forward, and may require urgent help. NFFE stands in solidarity with all members who have suffered from natural disaster, and is ready to provide support and assistance through...
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Aug 12, 2016NFFE Forest Service Council Achieves Protections for All Workers
The NFFE Forest Service Council has been working for years to get the Forest Service to implement anti-bullying policies or committing to an environment that fosters respect for individual values and appropriate conduct among all employees throughout the Agency. And finally, the most recent round...
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Aug 11, 2016Proposed Bylaws Amendments and Resolutions Now Available for Review
As delegates prepare to head to sunny Orlando, Florida for NFFE's 50th National Convention, the NFFE National Office has been spending much of 2016 making detailed arrangements to ensure Convention operations run smoothly. One of those responsibilities is to collect and distribute proposed bylaws...
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Aug 3, 2016NFFE Strongly Opposed to Commission on Care Report
The report highlights the supposed long-term issues in the VHA Care System relating to staffing, facility consistency, capital needs, and health care disparities. The report also makes a major recommendation to replace the current VHA with a new entity, to be known as the VHA Care System. In the...
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Jul 29, 2016NFFE's National Convention is Only Two Months Away -- Be Prepared!
With NFFE's 50th National Convention less than two months away, staff and members alike have been busily preparing to ensure a smooth and efficient week of important union business. Delegates from across the country will convene in sunny Orlando, Florida from September 25-29, 2016 to receive...
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Jul 19, 2016NFFE and Allies Fight Legislation Gutting Federal Employee Due Process Rights
While supporters of this bill touted gimmicky provisions such as a moratorium of federal employees viewing porn on government computers, the vast majority of the bill was made up of arbitrary and punitive attacks on the due process rights of federal employees. As we continue to defend against the...
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Jul 12, 2016NFFE Letter to USFS Chief Tidwell Regarding Civilian Conservation Corps Program
The blame for the recent closure of Treasure Lake and Ouachita Civilian Conservation Centers, as well as the chronic poor performance of other Centers, falls squarely on the shoulders of the inept leadership at the CCC National Office. NFFE will not stand idly by and let the lack of leadership...
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Jul 6, 2016NFFE Continues Fight for a Real Pay Adjustment
Last month, NFFE joined forces with 20 organizations representing federal employees in calling for lawmakers to approve a much-needed 5.3 percent pay adjustment for federal employees in 2017. The currently-proposed 1.6 percent pay adjustment by Congress is woefully inadequate and fails to account...
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Jun 28, 2016OPM Continues Offering Protections for Victims of Data Breach
On Friday, Beth Cobert, Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), announced that the agency has taken several measures to address cybersecurity issues exposed in the wake of last summer’s data breach. Also announced was an increase in insurance protection for those effected...
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Jun 21, 2016NFFE-IAM VA Members Protect Employee Due Process Rights at Agency
Recently, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will no longer use the expedited firing process for Senior Executives as outlined in the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, following constitutional questions raised by the Department of Justice (DoJ). This...
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Jun 17, 2016Stage is Set for 50th National Convention, is Your Local Ready?
Delegates in attendance of this year's Convention will be pleasantly surprised by the flexibilities offered by the host hotel, as well as the countless amenities and amusement park offerings directly surrounding the Buena Vista Palace Hotel (owned and operated by Hilton, so eligible attendees...
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Jun 14, 2016Collaboration Drives NFFE Indian Health Service Council Contract Negotiations
Contract negotiations can be an agonizing experience for many NFFE Locals and Councils, spending months or years battling Agency management over various contract provisions. However, the same cannot be said about the NFFE Indian Health Service (IHS) Council’s recently-bargained Master Contract,...
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Jun 9, 2016NFFE Forest Service Council Challenges Agency over Shameful Hiring Practice
Amidst active contract negotiations, and after months of urging the U.S. Forest Service to end flawed hiring practices which limit who can apply for jobs in the Agency, NFFE's Forest Service Council (FSC) decided they needed to take a new approach with negotiations. And on June 7, 2016, the FSC...
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May 31, 2016NFFE-IAM Members Storm Capitol Hill to Fight for Federal Employees
Earlier this month, NFFE-IAM members from Locals across the country gathered in Washington, DC for a week to meet with members of Congress to discuss the issues important to federal employees at the 2016 IAM Legislative Conference. Every year, federal employees are forced to endure increasingly...
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May 27, 2016Debt of Gratitude
As we gather together with friends and family over Memorial Day weekend, please take a moment to remember and to offer prayers for all of the men and women who lost their lives while in service to the United States of America. They gave their lives defending our country, and for that we owe them...
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May 25, 2016NFFE Fights to Protect VA Members from Congressional Attacks
While federal employees are forced to endure attack after attack from the current anti-worker Congress, one agency has experienced a particularly toxic stream of attacks in recent years. Following a national scandal in 2014, nurses and doctors at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have been...
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May 2, 2016President Obama Issues Proclamation for Public Service Recognition Week
The well-being of our people depends on the passion and dedication of our workforce, and my Administration has worked to recruit, uplift, and empower exceptional civil servants. In an effort to fully realize the belief that all of us have the capacity to make a meaningful difference and...
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Apr 8, 2016NFFE-IAM Members Attend AFL-CIO’s Inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Program
On March 13-16, 2016 fifty Union women from throughout the country gathered together in New York City for the AFL-CIO’s inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Program. The program brought together Union sisters from both the private and public sectors to learn about the global labor movement...
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Apr 5, 2016REMINDER: Select Delegates for NFFE’s 50th National Convention
One of the most important aspects of NFFE’s 50th National Convention is the gathering of delegates from around the country to chart out the direction of the Union, in addition to electing our national officers, make changes to the union’s bylaws, and participate in discussions with some of...
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Apr 1, 2016Red River Army Depot Locals Team Up to Host Celebratory BBQ
Texas—a place known for cowboys, BBQ and a beaming sense of pride among its residents. But something many outsiders would not attribute to Texas are proud Unionists. Yet in the northeast corner of the state, on the Texas-Arkansas border, lies the town of Texarkana, Tx—home to hundreds of...
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Mar 29, 2016DoD Introduces Labor-collaborated Personnel Reform
While much tension continues to be present between labor and management within DoD due to the agency's past scorched earth campaign to institute NSPS, NFFE played a key role in developing and advising the New Beginnings System. The system will be largely positive for NFFE-IAM members and brings...
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Mar 25, 2016Newly-Installed NFFE Local 7 Leadership Laying Groundwork for Growth
Following a reorganization, NFFE Local 7 represents employees in three separate bargaining units: US Army Corps of Engineers Portland District, US Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District and the USDA Rural Development office in Oregon. Each of the bargaining units maintain a separate...
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Mar 22, 2016Don’t Miss Your Chance to Attend the 2016 IAM Legislative Conference
Once each year, NFFE-IAM members gather for a week of rousing speeches by key leaders in Congress and labor, to discuss legislative strategies and spend time on Capitol Hill lobbying their elected officials. Over the years, hundreds of NFFE-IAM representatives, from Alaska to Puerto Rico and...
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Mar 17, 2016Letter to President Obama Regarding LMWFA OPM Problems
We worked with both sides of the aisle in Congress to pass a common-sense regulatory fix to provide them with the same opportunities to advance their careers that other federal employees have. We are proud that, in this age of gridlock, the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA)...
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Mar 11, 2016NFFE Membership Department Eases Administrative Burden on Locals
The ultimate goal of a streamlined document management system that allows for improved functionality and access. This reform will result in more effective document sharing between NFFE-IAM members, officers and staff – all in the pursuit of reducing the administrative burden at all levels so...
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Mar 8, 2016NFFE Supports OPM's Much-Needed USAJobs Overhaul
As the federal government prepares to hire the next generation of civil service leaders, one common complaint among job applicants is the arduous and often arcane hiring portal of USAJobs. With the most recent round of updates to USAJobs, OPM stated that the website is slated for a comprehensive...
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Mar 4, 2016NFFE Headquarters Makes Strides to Increase Efficiency
n recent months, NFFE Headquarters has made critical strides forward to increase efficiency of the organization’s operations. Following an extensive review that lead to reduced unnecessary costs, NFFE achieved significant savings without sacrificing service. NFFE is a far more efficient...
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Feb 23, 2016Preparing for NFFE’s 50th National Convention: Delegate Selection
With the announcement and official call released for NFFE’s 50th National Convention, to be held this September in beautiful Lake Buena Vista, Florida, it is never too soon for Locals to begin preparing to attend the convention. Preparation for the NFFE 50th National Convention can seem...
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Feb 19, 2016Local 2102 Grows Steadily Under New Leadership
Newly appointed and facing low density and a large bargaining unit, FL 2102 Local Lodge President Roosevelt Davis wasted no time feeling daunted. Instead of succumbing to the pressure, he committed himself and his team to tackling the complex and challenging representational issues facing the...
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Feb 12, 2016Forest Service Council Master Agreement Negotiations Near Completion
Widely considered a gold standard of federal Collective Bargaining Agreements, the Forest Service Master Agreement applies to the nearly 20,000 NFFE-represented Forest Service employees throughout the US. But achieving a strong contract does not happen over night, and NFFE's Forest Service...
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Feb 9, 2016Federal Employees Not Feeling the Love from Congress This Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and it appears Congress will not be sending federal employees any flowers this year. Instead, Congress has unleashed numerous bills aimed squarely at chipping away at the pay, job security and right to join a Union for federal employees. At this point, only...
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Feb 5, 2016NFFE Local 2035 Grows Membership by 180 Percent in 2015
In 2014, NFFE Local 2035 at Fort Irwin National Training Center in Southern California was faced with stagnating new-member organizing. Rather than fold in the wake of the difficulties of maintaining a Local Lodge, the executive board shouldered the challenge of taking a decidedly different path...
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Jan 29, 2016NFFE Scores Major Pay Boost for Letterkenny Employees
After years of advocacy by NFFE, the IAM, and our Union allies pushing for a much-needed expansion to the locality pay system, 13 new General Schedule (GS) pay localities were announced in June of 2015. In addition to the new localities, 21 existing locality pay areas were expanded to include...
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Jan 26, 2016NFFE-IAM Membership Has Benefits, Take Advantage of Them!
We all know NFFE-IAM membership has its benefits in the workplace. More members equals more strength at the bargaining table. More strength at the bargaining table results in a better contract. And a better contract makes life better for all employees. Plus, more dues-paying members at the...
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Jan 21, 2016Take Advantage of Education Opportunities at the Winpisinger Center
Access to specialized educational courses at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center is one of the many benefits of being a NFFE-IAM member. A nationally-renown labor education facility, the Winpisinger Center offers a variety of classes aimed at improving the skills of union...
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Jan 15, 2016House Committee Seeks to Strip Federal Employee Due Process Protections
On Tuesday, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, chaired by Representative Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, conducted a legislative markup hearing that had a slew of disastrous bills forced through by the GOP-led majority on the committee. Most of Tuesday's bills were simply regurgitated...
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Jan 11, 2016The Inequality of GS and WG Pay Systems
While advocates were successful in securing equitable pay adjustments out of the gate for 2016, the annual fight to apply equitable pay adjustments for both WG and GS employees highlights a highly imperfect compensation system. The current system is in need of reform. While there are many steps...
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Dec 30, 20151.3% Pay Increase Final in Spending Bill, Looking Ahead to 2016
Congress passed a government funding bill for 2016, eliminating the possibility of a government shutdown in 2015, and a 1.3 percent pay adjustment goes into effect for federal employees on Jan. 1. Heading into the year-end appropriations discussions, federal employees had reason for concern with...
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Dec 16, 2015President Obama Grants Federal Employees Half Day of Holiday Leave
Late Friday afternoon, President Obama signed an Executive Order excusing executive branch non-Postal Service employees from duty for the last half of the scheduled workday on Thursday, December 24, 2015, with pay and without a charge to leave. This means that most federal employees will receive...
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Dec 10, 2015Congress Looks to Punt Government Funding Deadline Five Days
Yesterday, Speaker Ryan recognized that no final spending deal was in sight and suggested yet another short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) to provide lawmakers more time to negotiate a larger spending bill. And late last night, a short-term CR was introduced to fund the government through...
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Dec 8, 2015Local 1450 Scores Two Big Wins for Bargaining Unit Employees
Recently, NFFE Local 1450, representing United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) employees in California, Nevada, Arizona & Albuquerque (SWONAP only) (Region IX), has scored two big wins for its membership. The first, an EEOC discrimination complaint, was settled between...
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Dec 3, 2015OPM Releases Information About 2016 Federal Employee Pay Adjustments
This pay adjustment will be the first time federal employees in 13 new pay localities – an estimated 108,000 employees – will receive a specific locality adjustment other than “rest of United States” designation. These 13 new pay localities are the direct result of an effort spearheaded...
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Nov 12, 2015President Dougan to Senate: Time is Now to Protect our Nation from Wildfires
n his testimony, President Dougan tapped his wealth of knowledge stemming from 22 years as a US Forest Service firefighter to inform the committee of the problems land management agencies face when fighting fires. Most notably, President Dougan outlined how the current system of interagency...
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Nov 11, 2015Pause, Reflect, Honor
Each year on November 11, Americans set aside 24 hours to pause, reflect, and honor our nation's veterans. But to those of us who wore the uniform, every day is Veterans Day. We are constantly flooded with thoughts and memories from places we served and the comrades who stood beside us. Yes, we...
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Nov 10, 2015Federal Employees Still Paid 35% Less than Matching Private Sector Work
For the third time in three years, a study released by the Federal Salary Council shows federal employees making 35 percent less than comparable private-sector employment. The Federal Salary Council, of which NFFE’s National Secretary/Treasurer Randy Erwin is a member, is made up of numerous...
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Nov 3, 2015Local 1031 Kicks Off New Recruitment Plan with Successful Event
In an effort to strengthen their position at the bargaining table with management, as well as upgrade the Local’s representational capabilities, Local 1031 sought to expand its membership through a series of recruiting drives. Local officials understood that the more dues-paying members a Local...
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Oct 28, 2015NFFE Legal Team Helps Locals Win Major Cases
Although they oftentimes work behind the scenes, NFFE-IAM members should know that NFFE's Councils and Locals are supported by an in-house legal team. NFFE's legal team is widely respected in the federal employment legal sector – recognized as tireless fighters for NFFE-IAM members. The NFFE...
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Oct 26, 2015President Dougan to Senate: Adequately Fund Federal Employee Pay Adjustments
On October 22, NFFE National President William R. Dougan testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management regarding improving pay flexibilities in the federal workforce. In his testimony, President...
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Oct 16, 2015IAM Conference Asks Attendees to Change the World
If you’re crazy enough to think you can change the world, you probably can. Earlier this year, the IAM issued this challenge to its members and on October 7-11, 2015, over 400 women, young workers, and human rights advocates responded by showing up in San Juan, Puerto Rico to prove that the...
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Oct 2, 2015Randy Erwin Appointed National Secretary-Treasurer of NFFE
Yesterday, following approval from the NEC, President Dougan appointed NFFE Executive Director Randy Erwin to become the next National Secretary-Treasurer for the National Federation of Federal Employees. For most NFFE-IAM members, Erwin is a well-known figure in the organization and has...
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Oct 1, 2015Resiliency
The fortitude of NFFE-IAM members is something to be admired. In no other industry are employees routinely left guessing whether their employer will have the lights on the next day, have to worry about salary checks arriving on time (or at all), or listen day in, and day out, about how hated...
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Sep 29, 2015NFFE Working to Avert Government Shutdown
Amid the shocking news of Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner’s October resignation, the likelihood of a government shutdown in two days appears far less likely than it did a week ago. No matter the outcome of the GOP leadership election, NFFE is working with our allies to...
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Sep 23, 2015Time Running out to Stop Shutdown
In seven days, the US government will plunge into a shutdown for the second time in two years. In the four years since John Boehner became Speaker of the House, he has already overseen one historic government shutdown – and he appears poised to lead the US government into yet another shutdown....
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Sep 17, 2015NFFE Sends Open Letter to President to Implement LMWFA
Last month, NFFE achieved an important victory as, after years of work, the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) was signed into law (Public Law 114-47). Currently, agencies are waiting for guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prior to implementing the law. If OPM...
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Sep 16, 2015New Bill Would Give Federal Employees Six Weeks Paid Parental Leave
Under a new bill introduced in the Senate on Tuesday afternoon, federal employees would receive six weeks of paid parental leave for the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child. The six weeks would be separate from accrued sick and annual leave, and would provide federal employees more...
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Sep 9, 2015Back from Recess, Congress Spells Trouble for Federal Employees
What was once seen as the simplest of tasks is quickly becoming a partisan flash point every few months. Extremists in Congress see holding government funding hostage as an appropriate vehicle to achieve purely-partisan goals. NFFE and our allies will work around the clock to move a bill on...
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Sep 3, 2015Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
Organized labor has a long and glorious history in the United States. Our cities, infrastructure, industries and agriculture all owe their very existence to the accomplishments of the working men and women who came before us. Today our Union brothers and sisters work in many of the private,...
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Aug 28, 2015NFFE Fights Announced Army Civilian Personnel Cuts
Not only are 17,000 hardworking federal employees going to be forced out of their jobs, but these cuts will have a significant impact in the communities surrounding Army installations that rely on the money these federal jobs provide those local economies. This is bad policy, and is a result on...
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Aug 21, 2015NFFE Scores Legal Victory for IHS NFFE-IAM Members
The three parties involved quickly entered into a Procedural Memorandum of Agreement which consolidated all 33 grievances and, after seven years of dedication and hard work, reached the settlement that we have today. This time was capped with other significant interim settlements resulting in...
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Aug 14, 2015NFFE Local 1429 Charts Plan to Increase Membership
Last month at Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, Penn., the leadership of NFFE Local 1429 established an organizing committee and laid out a plan to substantially grow the membership of the Local in the coming months. While Local 1429's plan has many facets, the Local’s Organizing...
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Aug 10, 2015NFFE-Backed Path to Permanence for Temporary Employees Signed into Law
Before leaving town for August recess, the Senate passed HR 1531, the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA). This comes in the wake of the House passing the LMFWA in July. Finally, the NFFE-backed bill was signed into law by President Obama on August 7, 2015. The LMWFA gives...
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Aug 4, 2015Share Your Local Labor-Management Forum Success Story
Now more than ever before it remains important for labor and management to work together as they face today's challenges. Yet, we know that the unique challenges faced by Federal employees are putting pressure on even the best labor-management relationships. The National Council remains committed...
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Jul 30, 2015NFFE-Backed Temporary Employment Reform Legislation Approved by Senate Committee
The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) continues its march toward enactment into law. Yesterday, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) unanimously approved H.R. 1531, the House version of the bill, without amendment. This action constitutes a...
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Jul 28, 2015ACTION ALERT: Tell Congress to Protect Due Process Rights for VA Employees
Congress is on the verge of stripping due process rights from every non-management Veterans Affairs (VA) employee – including whistleblowers and the over 100,000 veterans employed by the VA. The House will hold a floor vote on the VA at-will employment bill on Wednesday, July 29. NFFE-IAM...
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Jul 27, 2015Last Week in Washington
Last week was a particularly big week for federal employee issues on Capitol Hill, with lawmakers rushing to finish up legislative work ahead of the August recess. The following issues are legislative stories that all NFFE-IAM members should be following:
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Jul 16, 2015NFFE and Allies Send Letter to President Regarding Data Breach
Earlier this week, NFFE, in collaboration with the Federal Workers Alliance (FWA), delivered a letter to President Obama expressing the frustrations federal employees are feeling in the wake of the recent OPM cyber security breach. The letter relayed the deep concerns of Union members concerning...
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Jul 9, 2015NFFE Opposes House Bill to Gut Due Process Rights for VA Employees
Under the guise of improved employee accountability and the assertion that it is "too hard" to fire VA employees, H.R. 1994 is little more than a direct attack on dedicated VA employees. Key components and consequences of the bill would be to dramatically extend probationary periods for new hires...
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Jul 7, 2015NFFE-Backed Path to Permanence for Temporary Employees Passes House
The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA, H.R. 1531) passed the House of Representatives this afternoon. H.R. 1531 would give long-serving temporary seasonal employees in land management agencies, including thousands of wildland firefighters, the ability to compete for career...
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Jun 30, 2015Restoring Collective Bargaining Rights for VA Employees
Over the last several years, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare professionals have seen their collective bargaining rights practically eliminated. Agency management’s improperly broad interpretation of a certain provision in federal labor law, Sec. 7422 of Title 38, has allowed them...
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Jun 23, 2015Local 1998 Fights Financial Award Abuse by Management
A review of the data showed that employees were much less likely to receive an award than managers. In some offices, to be a manager was to automatically receive an award. The average manager’s award in some offices was twice as large as the typical employee’s. Quality Step Increases (QSI),...
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Jun 17, 2015NFFE-Backed Legislation Continues to Advance in Congress
This legislation has been a NFFE priority for over five years. Beginning with a Congressional hearing on the issue on June 30, 2010, NFFE has worked to build support for reform and worked with stakeholders to develop an approach with which everyone could agree. This common-sense measure would...
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Jun 11, 2015NFFE Fights to Save CCC Job Corps Jobs
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps’ (CCC) Job Corps program, a program created during the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 as part of Johnson’s War on Poverty and Great Society initiatives. The CCC Job Corps program, which remains...
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Jun 5, 2015Information About the Recent OPM Cybersecurity Incident
"We are going to demand timely information from OPM so that federal workers are not left in the dark with details about the scope of this attack. We are going to make sure the agency provides ample assistance to mitigate the damage of this data breach for those impacted by it. Finally, we are...
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Jun 2, 2015NFFE Helps Score Huge Win for Members with New Locality Pay Areas
Yesterday, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) confirmed a proposal creating 13 new locality pay areas for federal employees – an effort spearheaded by NFFE and our allies for more than a decade. NFFE, as a member of the Federal Salary Council, was involved in achieving this crucial pay...
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Jun 1, 2015NFFE Continues Fight for Members Furloughed During Sequester
At a time when the furloughs of 2013 are distant memory to most employees, NFFE is continuing the battle to ensure that effected employees receive justice on the job. NFFE recently finished briefing the U.S Court of Appeals on behalf of NFFE-IAM members, and NFFE’s General Counsel will argue...
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May 8, 2015NFFE Local 2189 Provides Critical Support to IAM Organizing Win
It was early 2013 when the phone rang in the NFFE Local 2189 Union office, and on the other end was a URS employee explaining their treacherous working conditions. The employee knew that Local 2189 had hundreds of dues-paying members, and that the Local was incredibly active both on base and in...
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May 5, 2015Obama Issues Presidential Proclamation for #PSRW
On Sunday, President Obama issued a presidential proclamation officially recognizing May 3 through May 9, 2015 as Public Service Recognition Week. In his proclamation, the first of its kind during his presidency, he recognized the important work civil servants accomplish every day and that an...
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Apr 30, 2015NFFE Urges Lawmakers to Oppose Amendment to Eliminate Official Time in VA
NFFE got word today that an amendment to get rid of "official time" in the VA is going to be offered to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2016 (H.R. 2029) which is being considered on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today. The amendment was filed by...
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Apr 24, 2015NFFE Joins Young Workers in Chicago
Last month, over a thousand young workers, activists, and community partners gathered in Chicago, IL from to learn more about the Labor Movement, build young worker solidarity, and provide service to the local community. The three day summit was hosted by the AFL-CIO, entitled the Next Up Summit,...
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Apr 21, 2015NFFE and Allies Defeat Bill to Fire Federal Employees
Last week, a bill aimed at firing federal employees delinquent on his or her taxes failed to pass in the House of Representatives for the second year in a row. "The bill’s defeat comes following an intense effort from NFFE and our allies on Capitol Hill opposing the effort. Members of Congress...
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Apr 10, 2015New Congress, Same Old Attacks
One attack that is recurring in each session of Congress is the attempt to eliminate official time, the mechanism available to federal unions to carry out their legally-mandated duty of fair representation. Official time is used exclusively for agency-related business including collective...
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Apr 7, 2015Congressman Seeks to Slash Federal Employee Salaries by 8.7 Percent
After a string of anti-federal employee pieces of legislation have been introduced at the start of the 114th Congress, Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC) may have established himself as the most anti-federal employee lawmaker on Capitol Hill. Congressman Rice’s recent legislation, the (inappropriately named)...
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Apr 1, 2015NFFE-Backed Legislation Moves Forward in Congress
Last week, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) reintroduced the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) with Reps. Don Young (R-AK) and Rob Bishop (R-UT) as original cosponsors. This common-sense measure is one that NFFE has been working on for nearly five years. After diligent research,...
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Mar 25, 2015ACTION ALERT: Urge Your Member of Congress to Vote NO on Upcoming Budget
Tomorrow, members of the House of Representatives will be voting on H.Con.Res. 27, the proposed Concurrent Resolution on the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget. NFFE-IAM urges all members to contact their members of Congress and urge them to vote "No" on this budget bill. This extreme budget would gouge...
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Mar 24, 2015GOP Budget Seeks Hundreds of Billions in Cuts to Federal Employees
Last week, Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), chairman of the House Budget Committee, unveiled the GOP’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2016. Continuing a trend from previous GOP budget proposals, the budget seeks deep cuts from federal employees – to the tune of $318 billion. NFFE stands in staunch...
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Mar 23, 2015Newsletter and Website Contest Deadline Extended to April 17
The Newsletter and Website Contest is open to all good-standing local and district lodges who regularly distribute official newsletters and/or maintain regularly-updated websites. A panel of independent judges will consider newsletters published during the calendar year 2014 and websites...
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Mar 11, 2015Make Plans to Attend the IAM 2015 Legislative Conference
It is very important that every NFFE Local and/or Council make an effort to send at least one delegate to the IAM Legislative Conference this year. Federal workers’ pay, benefits, worker rights, and jobs are under attack in Washington, and attending this conference is our opportunity to speak...
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Mar 10, 2015NFFE Joins IAM Members Storming Capitol Hill to Stop TPP
Last week, members of NFFE Local 2 joined the IAM, AFL-CIO and other allied unions and organizations in a Stop Fast Track Lobby Day on March 4, 2015 in Washington, DC. NFFE-IAM members met with their Senators and Representatives to urge their opposition to fast-tracking the Trans-Pacific...
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Feb 26, 2015Information of Services for Philip Snodgrass
On February 23, 2015 Philip Donges Snodgrass, 27 suddenly lost his life while living in Washington DC. Philip graduated from Dulaney High School of Cockeysville, MD in 2005. He attended Indiana University in Bloomington. Philip graduated in 2009 with majors in political science and history and...
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Feb 23, 2015Don’t Miss Out on Scholarship Opportunities!
NFFE-IAM members have access to numerous scholarship opportunities for themselves and their families. Two scholarships have upcoming deadlines. Do not delay in taking advantage of these opportunities. Be sure to read all guidelines and FAQs to determine eligibility.
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Feb 12, 2015NFFE Supports Bill to Rollback Unfair Pension Cuts
Originally, increasing federal employee pension contributions in 2012 was used as a way to pay for extending unemployment insurance. Then, members of Congress decided to take the increased contributions a step further in 2013 as a method to balance the budget. Congress once again proved it had no...
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Feb 4, 2015NFFE Says President's Budget Better than Previous, but Problems Remain
For federal workers, some of the most notable provisions in the budget include a proposed 1.3 percent pay adjustment in 2016, an overall increase in the size of the federal workforce and an end to the dangerous across-the-board sequestration cuts. After five years of federal workers experiencing...
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Jan 28, 2015House Lawmakers Introduce Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act
On Monday, a group of House lawmakers held a press conference to unveil the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act (FEPPLA), legislation providing federal employees six weeks of paid parental leave for the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child. For years, NFFE has been on the front...
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Jan 23, 2015The Federal Workforce is Shrinking, But Congress Wants More Cuts
Earlier this month, the Office of Personnel Management released data on the state of the 2014 federal workforce showing that the federal government shed around 21,000 jobs in FY14. That brings the total number of federal jobs lost since 2011 to over 84,000. Yet despite these lost jobs, there are...
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Jan 22, 2015It’s Time – Paid Parental Leave
Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993, federal employees may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave when caring for a newborn child, with the option of using accrued sick and annual leave to supplement the lost pay. However, in the newly-proposed bill by the President, federal...
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Jan 19, 2015Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Each of us has a duty to carry on the work of Dr. King. If we want a just society, we must roll up our sleeves and work for justice. Dr. King said, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the...
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Jan 16, 2015President Obama Expands Parental Leave for Federal Employees
On Thursday, President Obama signed a presidential memorandum directing federal agencies to advance up to six weeks of paid sick leave to federal employees with a new child, employees caring for ill family members, and other sick leave-eligible uses. Accompanying the signed memorandum, President...
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Jan 9, 2015Meet the House’s New Chairman Charged with Oversight of Federal Workforce
Today, we take a look at the committee charged with federal workforce oversight in the House, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and its new chairman, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT). Representative Chaffetz, elected in 2008, has made his intentions very clear to take the Oversight and...
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Jan 5, 2015Meet the Senate’s Incoming Top Federal Employee Lawmaker
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) is in line to become the new Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee – the committee charged with oversight of the federal workforce. While the Senator’s name is still new to many in the halls of Congress, it will undoubtedly become...
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Dec 19, 2014Take Advantage of NFFE-IAM Scholarship Opportunities
As families around the country rush to finish last-minute college applications during the holiday season, do not forget about the countless scholarship opportunities available to NFFE-IAM members and their children/spouses.
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Dec 16, 2014Senate Passes Spending Bill Over The Weekend
This past weekend, the Senate approved a $1.1 trillion funding bill that will keep the government funded through the end of Sept. 2015 (excluding the Department of Homeland Security, which is funded until Feb. 2015). In addition to government funding, the $1.1 trillion bill also included numerous...
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Dec 12, 20142015 William W. Winpisinger Class Schedule Available Now
Classes are offered year-round on a variety of topics that will help union members become more informed and engaged in our union. For the newest members, the Federal Employees Seminars both basic and advanced are week-long classes that cover the essentials of Union advocacy and labor relations....
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Dec 11, 2014President Obama Thanks Some Federal Employees
On Tuesday, President Obama addressed nearly 3,000 members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) and other leaders in the federal workforce. Speaking to a crowded room, Obama sought to thank the dedicated federal workforce, and to empathize with the recently-tumultuous environment they have...
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Dec 8, 2014President Obama Grants Federal Employees Additional Day of Holiday Leave
Late Friday afternoon, President Obama signed an Executive Order excusing executive branch non-Postal Service employees from duty on Friday, December 26, 2014, with pay and without a charge to leave. This means that most federal employees will receive an extra day of holiday leave on Dec. 26.
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Dec 3, 2014Congress Appears Poised to Pass Government Funding
In what appeared to be heading towards an all-out fight between tea party and moderate members within the GOP, Congress now appears to be headed towards a funding compromise to keep the government funded beyond its current Dec. 11, 2014 deadline. The solution devised by congressional leaders will...
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Nov 24, 2014NFFE-IAM Members Storm Capitol Hill to Save Treasure Lake
Since the possibility of Treasure Lake closure was first announced, NFFE has been fighting to keep the Center open. The Union has disputed the rationale the Department of Labor (DOL) used to select Treasure Lake for closure, gathered scores of signatures on a petition to save the Center, rallied...
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Nov 20, 2014NFFE Local 178 Presents Labor-Management Success in DC
Earlier this week, members of NFFE Local 178 were invited to present before the National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations in Washington, DC to discuss their successes working with Aberdeen Proving Ground managers. Notable achievements included a new employee wellness program, new...
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Nov 18, 2014Extremists in Congress Float Idea of Another Shutdown
While incoming Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has promised that there will not be another government shutdown under his leadership, it would appear that all the members of his caucus have not received the memo. Incoming Senate Budget Committee Chairman Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) has floated...
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Nov 14, 2014Federal Employee Due Process Protections At Risk
In a recent string of interviews, McDonald has said that around 2,000 VA employees are being actively monitored for potential disciplinary action. Of that 2,000, McDonald estimates nearly half will receive some form of discipline – likely in the form of suspension or termination. In a scandal...
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Nov 12, 2014Worker-Friendly Candidates Face Difficult Election Night
Middle-of-the-road legislation expected of divided Congress can no longer be expected. With Congress in one-party control, there is a very good chance that Congress will take action on numerous bills that are highly partisan in nature. For federal employees, that means the chances are...
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Nov 10, 2014A Special Veterans Day Message
On this Veterans Day, let us take a moment to recognize and honor the millions of men and women who have selflessly answered the call to serve in our nation’s military. Our nation – founded on a promise of liberty – has been built upon a proud heritage of military service. These sacrifices,...
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Oct 7, 2014Local 1998 Empowers Members and Officers in Contract Negotiations
Since 2013, Local 1998 has been working diligently to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Local 1998 leadership has sought to ensure every NFFE-IAM members’ voice is heard at the bargaining table, and that effort began with the Local surveying its membership as it prepared to...
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Oct 3, 2014Local 1840 Leads Save Treasure Lake Campaign
On August 27, 2014, the Department of Labor (DoL) announced that the Treasure Lake Job Corps Center was targeted for closure. The announcement caught the Treasure Lake community by surprise, and NFFE 1840 sprang into action to protect the facility that employs NFFE-IAM members. In an effort...
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Sep 30, 2014A New Approach to Organizing Opportunities
Earlier this month, NFFE staff met with the NFFE National Executive Council (NEC) to conduct a yearly review of NFFE’s Membership Building and Strategic Plan (MBSP). Following an intensive review session that spanned three days, one of the most significant changes is an update to the...
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Sep 29, 2014Choose FEEA for the CFC
As the Combined Federal Campaign season is once again upon us, I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that FEEA – the Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund – CFC #11185 is the official charity of NFFE. NFFE is one of the founding organizations that formed FEEA. I am proud to...
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Sep 22, 2014Membership Building Strategic Plan Meeting at Winpisinger Center
Last week, NFFE National Staff and elected officers gathered at the William W. Winpisinger Educations and Technology Center to discuss revisions and modifications to the Membership Building and Strategic Plan (MBSP). The MBSP, formally established in 2012, aims to empower all NFFE-IAM members,...
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Aug 28, 2014Request Pre-Decisional Involvement for New DoD Personnel System
The United Defense Worker’s Coalition, of which NFFE is a member, is encouraging all Unions to submit a request to engage in pre-decisional involvement at the level of recognition for preliminary discussions with the agency over the implementation of DoD’s recently announced three-tier...
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Aug 13, 2014OPM Announces Phased Retirement
On August 8, 2014 the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) revealed the final rule for the long-awaited phased retirement program. Phased retirement allows federal employees who are eligible for retirement to work part-time to ease into retirement and focus on transferring institutional knowledge...
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Aug 7, 2014Federal Agencies Lift Hiring Freezes
A recent Department of Labor report found that the size of the federal workforce has remained relatively stable in recent months, with a federal workforce of around 2.7 million federal employees. With hiring freezes being lifted from some agencies, and the increasing emphasis on the need for...
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Aug 4, 2014NFFE Scores Win: FEHBP Eligibility Extended to All Temporary Employees
NFFE has worked for years to achieve access to health benefits for all hardworking temporary employees. We are pleased that our years of hard work have finally paid off. On Tuesday, July 29, 2014, the OPM proposed a new rule that would make temporary employees who are expected to work at least 90...
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Jul 31, 2014House Passes VA Reform Bill, Waiting Senate Approval
The $17 billion bipartisan plan includes numerous short- and long-term solutions to the problems facing the VA. Among provisions in the bill: A streamlined process for removing senior VA executives, an option for veterans without ready access to VA facilities to receive private care, additional...
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Jul 24, 2014President Signs Executive Order Expanding Workplace Equality
On Monday, President Obama signed a two-part executive order to ban discrimination against gay and lesbian federal contractors. The executive order makes it illegal to harass or fire federal contractors based on their sexual orientation. NFFE is at the forefront of LGBT equality in the federal...
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Jul 22, 2014Local 2200 Labor-Management Statement of Support for Service Members
On May 24, 2014, NFFE Local 2200 and USDA Forest Service Human Resources Management (HRM) collectively signed a Statement of Support for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The ESGR is an office created by the Department of Defense (DoD) that informs and educates service members...
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Jul 16, 2014Senate Hearing Examines Forest Service's Wildfire Suppression Funding
Through much of the hearing, it was clear that the current “fire-borrowing” system of the U.S. Forest Service is unsustainable with the rising costs of fire suppression across the country. The current “fire-borrowing” system has the Forest Service take money from local Forest Service...
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Jul 2, 2014The Dangerous Implications of Harris v. Quinn for Federal Employees
On Monday, the Supreme Court of the United States handed down its decision in Harris v. Quinn, a case examining the legality of requiring partial public employees in a bargaining unit to at least pay “fair-share” dues, if not full membership dues. While many legal analysts anticipated a...
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Jun 27, 2014D.C. Golden Triangle Workers Choose NFFE-IAM in Hard-Fought Election
Last week, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) certified election results for the employees of Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) to be represented by NFFE-IAM. The campaign began earlier this year and culminated with an election on May 28, 2014. Despite an aggressive...
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Jun 23, 2014Show Your Union Pride
There are several ways you can increase the visibility of your officers and members. One of the easiest and most cost-effective is to encourage everyone to wear a NFFE-IAM lanyard or something that is visible with the NFFE-IAM logo on it. You can also ensure that all of your Local officers and...
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Jun 19, 2014NFFE-IAM Young Federal Leaders Attend Inaugural Training
Topics covered in the training included a history of labor, recruiting new members, political and legislative advocacy, and how to start a YFL chapter. Class participants were also introduced to the numerous ways to become involved in local labor communities, including AFL-CIO Central Labor...
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Jun 11, 2014House Shoots Down Amendment to Ban Official Time
In the lead up consideration of this spending measure on the House floor, NFFE was informed of an effort being made by anti-union, anti-federal worker members of the House to begin the process of dismantling workplace protections and silencing employees’ voice in the federal government. NFFE...
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Jun 2, 2014Local 178 Establishes Labor-Management Partnership Forum
Last week, leaders of five separate U.S. Army organizations came together with NFFE National President William Dougan and NFFE Local 178 President Lisa Foust to sign into effect a labor-management partnership forum at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Maryland. The forum is intended to encourage and...
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May 30, 2014Local 125 Celebrates 95th Anniversary
Last month, NFFE President William Dougan and National Organizing Director Brittany Cardinal traveled to Ogden, UT to kick start the 95th year of Local 125. Many regional office employees, Local NFFE-IAM members, bargaining unit employees and members of management turned out to join the Local in...
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May 22, 2014Local 1340 Encourages Nature Conservation in Earth Day Celebration
Each year, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, N.J. hosts an Earth Day celebration that allows employee organizations set up booths to commemorate the observance. The Earth Day observance is one of the year’s largest events at the...
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May 20, 2014Keep an Up-to-Date Bargaining Unit List
Bargaining unit lists are helpful to have on hand during formal organizing drives, so you have a record of the employees that are eligible to become a member of your Local. These lists can also be broken down, and provide you with a system for assessing and reaching out to your potential members....
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May 19, 2014NFFE-IAM Members Take to Capitol Hill
A range of speakers kicked off the 2014 IAM Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, all echoing the call to end sequestration, oppose pending trade agreements and increase the respect for federal employees. In addition to hearing from some of Washington, DC’s most prominent leaders, NFFE-IAM...
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May 9, 2014Defense Bill Clears Panel Without Job Cuts
On May 8, 2014 the House Armed Services Committee passed the Fiscal Year 2015 (FY15) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), H.R. 4435. Absent from the bill upon passage out of committee was a controversial amendment that was expected to be offered during the markup process (when a Committee...
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May 6, 2014ACTION ALERT: NFFE Opposes Congressional Move to Slash 115,000 Defense Jobs
On May 7, 2014, the House Armed Services Committee will mark up (when a Committee meets to discuss, debate, amend and vote on legislation) the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015 (FY15). This year, an amendment will be offered to the NDAA in an effort to abolish...
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Apr 28, 2014Local 1429 and Congressman Team Up to Protect Jobs
Last week in Chambersburg, PA, the members of NFFE Local 1429 met with Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA) to discuss strategy for protecting Letterkenny Army Depot from closure in the event of another round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). The members of NFFE Local 1429 shared their concerns...
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Apr 25, 2014Enroll Now for Federal Employees' Basic Class
The 2014 Federal Employees’ Basic Program will be held at the William W. Winpisinger (WWW) Education and Technology Center, in Hollywood, MD, during the week of August 10-15, 2014. This program provides training specific to federal sector workers in areas such as collective bargaining, the...
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Apr 10, 2014Sign Up for NFFE's Young Federal Leaders Training Today!
NFFE is proud to announce that for the first time, we will be putting on a Young Federal Leaders training. The training will take place from June 14 – 17 at the IAM William W. Winpisinger Center for Education and Technology in Hollywood, Md. The training will inform young workers about the...
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Apr 3, 2014IAM Legislative Conference is Fast Arriving; Make Your Plans Today
Taking place from May 12 -15, 2014, NFFE and the IAM will bring Union brothers and sisters together from around the country to storm Capitol Hill. This is your opportunity as a NFFE-IAM member to let Congress understand the impact their reckless policy decisions have had on America’s federal...
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Mar 26, 2014NFFE Announces 2013 Presidential Organizing Awards
We are introducing a new, annual award this year in accordance with NFFE’s Membership Building Strategic Plan; these new awards are NFFE’s Annual Presidential Awards. As written in the plan, NFFE’s Locals were divided into three roughly equal-sized categories based on the number of...
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Mar 20, 2014NFFE to Fight New Legislation to Cut 115,000 Defense Jobs
Just when it looked like federal employees were momentarily free from congressional attacks, a group of six Republican lawmakers dropped a bombshell. Earlier this week, Rep. Ken Calvert (Republican, California) introduced the Rebalance for an Effective Defense Uniform and Civilian Employees Act...
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Mar 18, 2014Update: One Percent Pay Adjustment for Wage-grade Federal Employees
Following a vigorous push by NFFE and its allies, wage-grade federal employees received a one percent pay adjustment, dated Jan. 27, 2014. This adjustment brought parity with the one percent pay adjustment General Schedule (GS) employees received on Jan. 1, 2014. However, there has been a great...
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Mar 8, 2014YFL 2014 IAM Legislative Conference Week Trip
NFFE is proud to announce that for the first time, we will be offering an all-expenses paid trip to the 2014 IAM Legislative Conference in Washington, DC from Monday, May 12, 2014 to Thursday, May 15, 2014 to a young federal worker who demonstrates a vision and commitment to the three principles...
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Feb 24, 2014Complete the 2014 Organizing Survey
It is because of members like you that we are able to grow our great Union. It is important that we know what matters to you and your Local. Please take a few moments to fill out our 2014 Organizing Survey. Your experience and suggestions will play a key role as we move forward with NFFE’s...
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Feb 20, 2014No 2014 Sequester
Following a dramatic year for federal employees, the office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a report earlier this month confirming that federal agencies will not experience any further sequester-related spending cuts. With the passage of a congressional budget and OMB releasing this...
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Feb 17, 2014Get to Know the Legislation that Affects You
Every day, legislation is popping up across the country proposing such injustices as ending official time, furloughing public employees, pay, pensions and jobs, just to name a few. When more members are educated on the issues, we can become more of a driving force in letting our representatives...
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Feb 14, 2014Federal Basic One of Many Classes Available
This past week, NFFE-IAM members from around the country came together at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center, located in Hollywood, Md., to participate in the year’s first federal basic course. The six-day course covered numerous topics important to NFFE-IAM members. The...
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Feb 6, 2014Show Your Union Pride
Successful Locals are visible Locals. How can a prospective member join your Local if they don’t know it exists? And you, as a Local officer or member, are your Local’s best advertisement. If you aren’t already wearing your NFFE items, it’s time to start. Show your co-workers and fellow...
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Jan 31, 2014A New Year, a New Direction for YFL
On Wednesday morning, Young Federal Leaders (YFL) members from across the country gathered for the year’s first YFL conference call to discuss the program’s exciting, new direction. 2014 is a year of change, and YFL is undergoing numerous changes. The first and most noticeable change is the...
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Jan 27, 2014NFFE Minority, Diversity and Inclusion Committee Members Announced
Following the adoption of the Minority, Diversity and Inclusion (MDI) Committee charter in late 2013, NFFE has spent months soliciting NFFE-IAM membership to apply to the committee. Today, NFFE National President William R. Dougan announced the appointment of eight NFFE-IAM members to the MDI...
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Jan 24, 20142014 Retirees' Assistance Programs
The IAM Retirees’ Department is convening two Retirees’ Assistance programs at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, Maryland. The programs are designed to educate participants on a variety of geriatric and mental health issues. The IAM’s objective is to...
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Jan 22, 2014YFL Joins Young Machinists in San Antonio
This past weekend, numerous NFFE Young Federal Leaders (YFL) members traveled to San Antonio, TX for the IAM Young Workers and Emerging Leaders Conference. With a record number of young machinists attending the 38th IAM Grand Lodge Convention in 2012, IAM has committed to expanding its investment...
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Jan 14, 2014Bill Includes Pay Increase for Blue-Collar Federal Workers
On Jan. 1, 2014, a one percent across-the-board pay adjustment went into effect for white-collar General Schedule (GS) federal employees. While this modest pay bump was welcome following a three-year pay freeze, there was one big problem: Congress forgot about blue-collar Wage Grade (WG) federal...
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Jan 9, 2014Tell Congress: Support Federal Blue-Collar Workers
Call your U.S. House Representative and both of your U.S. Senators today and tell them to support HR 3573, and recommend language being adopted in the 2014 omnibus spending bill to achieve the intent of HR 3573. The Capitol Switchboard phone number is 202-224-3121. When contacting lawmakers, be...
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Jan 8, 2014New Year – New Goal
We often think of New Years’ Resolutions on the personal level, but your Local can make some resolutions for 2014 as well. As a Local, consider setting some membership goals for the year. Decide exactly what you want to accomplish, and set some goals accordingly. If you need help setting...
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Dec 18, 2013Congress: No Raise for Blue-Collar Federal Employees in 2014
Under current law, GS federal employees will receive a modest one percent pay bump in January 2014. The adjustment will be applied to base pay, leaving locality pay unchanged. While the one percent pay adjustment ends a three-year pay freeze, it is largely a symbolic victory. On Dec. 12, 2013 the...
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Dec 16, 2013Understanding the Budget: Pensions
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, as it stands, would raise pension contributions for federal employees hired after Jan. 1, 2014 by 1.3 percent. As a result, federal employees hired after Jan. 1, 2014 will be forced to contribute 4.4 percent towards their pensions. Of all the constituencies...
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Dec 6, 2013Tell Congress: No More Cuts Targeted at Federal Employees
Call your U.S. House Representative and both of your U.S. Senators today and tell them to oppose any further targeted cuts to federal workers as part of a budget deal. The Capitol Switchboard phone number is 202-224-3121. When contacting lawmakers, be sure to do so as a constituent, on your own...
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Dec 3, 2013Sequestration or Shutdown: A Lose-Lose for Federal Employees
With less than two weeks remaining before the Dec. 13 deadline, the Congressional Budget Conference faces mounting pressure to reach an agreement to keep the government funded beyond Jan. 15. If a grand bargain is not struck and Congress resorts to passing yet another Continuing Resolution, a...
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Nov 20, 2013FWA Sends Letter to Budget Conference Urging Protection of Federal Workers
Federal employees have contributed more than $114 billion over the past three years toward deficit reduction. This staggering amount is the result of a three-year pay freeze, multiple furlough days due to sequestration, and an increase in pension contributions from new federal workers. As a...
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Nov 19, 2013NFFE/IAM Wins Landslide Election at Aberdeen Proving Ground
Employees of the Army Contracting Command (ACC) at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Gunpowder, MD have a rich history of NFFE/IAM representation. However, a recent agency realignment brought a new group of contractors to the base, forcing a combination between new and veteran Aberdeen ACC employees....
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Nov 13, 2013Senate Passes Employment Non-Discrimination Act
Last Thursday, the Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) with a bipartisan vote of 64-32. Currently, there is no federal law protecting the U.S. LGBT workforce from employment discrimination based on sexual and gender identity. In 34 states, it remains legal for an employer...
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Nov 11, 2013Message from the NFFE Veterans Committee
I want to give a salute of sincere appreciation to all our Cold Warriors because you boldly stared in the face of our enemies and dared them not to do anything to harm Americans at home and around the world. It may have been boring, it may have been tedious, but you still surrendered a part of...
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Nov 8, 2013Support FEEA this Holiday Season
With the holiday season around the corner, NFFE invites its membership to get in the spirit of giving. NFFE members and federal workers are encouraged to make a donation to the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA). FEEA provides needed assistance to federal employees and operates...
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Oct 30, 2013Union Plus Scholarship 2014 Application now available!
The Union Plus Scholarship application for 2014 is now available. The application deadline is Friday January 31, 2014, 12pm EST. All NFFE-IAM members, spouses and children of members that have already been accepted into a U.S. accredited university, college, community college or...
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Oct 28, 2013Federal Employees Once Again on the Table for January Budget Talks
Since 2010, federal workers have experienced a three-year pay freeze, cyclical furloughs, and a reduction in retirement benefits. These reductions, coupled with the recent government shutdown, have led some lawmakers to take a stance in defending the rights and wellbeing of federal employees. A...
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Oct 22, 20132014 IAM Scholarship Now Accepting Applications
The IAM Scholarship is now open for 2014. All NFFE-IAM members and children of members pursuing college or vocational/technical schools are strongly encouraged to apply. There are three different scholarship applications, one for each scholarship: the IAM Child of a Member applying for College...
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Oct 18, 2013Federal Pay Scheduled to Increase by One Percent in January 2014
Barring congressional intervention, an across-the-board one percent raise to federal employees will go into effect Jan. 1. The plan was submitted by Obama in August, which only counts basic pay when calculating the one percent increase and keeps locality pay levels at their 2013 figures.
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Oct 17, 2013Bill Passes to End Government Shutdown, Stage Set for January Budget Battle
Just after midnight early Thursday morning, the President signed into law a bill to reopen the federal government, ending a 16-day government shutdown. The bipartisan bill was passed just one day before Treasury Secretary Jack Lew estimated the U.S. would reach its borrowing limit. Included in...
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Oct 16, 2013Guidance and Resources for Furloughed Federal Employees
While the political stalemate in Washington over a budget for fiscal year 2014 drags into its third week, federal employees are increasingly feeling the negative impacts of the shutdown. With 800,000 federal employees impacted by furloughs, federal employees and their families are struggling to...
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Oct 11, 2013NFFE Rallies on Capitol Hill; Dougan to Congress: Man Up and End This Shutdown
Yesterday, on a chilly, wet morning in Washington, D.C., NFFE-IAM members rallied with other federal employee unions to convey a clear message to a stubborn Congress: stop playing politics with federal employees’ lives and end the government shutdown. Dougan: “It is time to dispense with the...
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Oct 9, 2013Rally on Capitol Hill Thursday to Protest Government Shutdown
NFFE, IAM, and other federal employee unions will be rallying on Capitol Hill tomorrow (Thursday, October 10, 2013) at 11 AM to demand an end to the government shutdown. NFFE-IAM members who can make the trip to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. are strongly encouraged to attend. NFFE National...
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Sep 18, 2013NFFE’s Young Federal Leaders: Looking Back and Planning for the Future
What started as a modest effort to amplify the voices of our young union members has quickly evolved into a mission to engage every NFFE unionist, regardless of age, in the task of protecting our great coalition of workers for generations to come. And while we realize that an undertaking of this...
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Sep 17, 2013Thank You for Doing Your Part to Help Temporary Seasonals!
Thank you for doing your part to improve the lives of thousands of temporary seasonal employees. You made a difference today. If your House rep or one of your Senators has already signed on as a cosponsor of the bill, they will not receive your letter asking for their support. This is because...
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Sep 5, 2013NFFE Breaks New Ground as First Federal Union to Launch Tumblr Page
Continuing NFFE’s legacy of innovation in labor communications, we are proud to announce the launch of our new Tumblr page, www.nffeunion.tumblr.com! NFFE is the first federal union to launch a dedicated page on the burgeoning social network. So what is Tumblr, anyways? Tumblr is a fun mix of a...
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Sep 4, 2013FEEA Suspends Furlough Loans Due to Exhaustion of Resources
In spite of generous donations from the BlueCross/BlueShield Association, GEICO and GEBA, and nearly 100 individual donations in the last week, FEEA is forced today to suspend new furlough-related loans to civilian federal employees. Since the start of FEEA’s fiscal year on May 1, 2013,...
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Aug 30, 2013A Labor Day Message from the Desk of NFFE National President William R. Dougan
On August 24th my wife and I attended the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington. We stood with tens of thousands of our sisters and brothers from the labor movement, the civil rights movement, churches, student groups, and thousands of others who were not affiliated with a particular group...
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Aug 29, 2013As Furloughs Drain FEEA Resources, Your Donation is More Important than Ever
It has been an incredibly busy few months at FEEA, with scholarship selections and furloughs taking the time and attention of staff and volunteers alike. Final selections for the 2013-14 scholarship program are being made and winners of the NTEU $5,000 scholarships will be announced in a few...
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Aug 16, 2013Senior Defense Official: Civilian Jobs May be on the Chopping Block Next Year
Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has an opinion about the second round of sequestration cuts scheduled to arrive in Fiscal Year 2014, and he has not been shy about sharing them. In a recent story from USA Today, Carter laid out the Department’s prospects plain and simple: “We can’t...
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Aug 15, 2013Federal Workers See Jobs Evaporate as Private Sector Growth Continues
With shrinking budgets, sequestration cuts, and shut down threats bearing down on agencies throughout government, it’s no mystery that federal workers have taken their lumps from deficit reduction. A recent Gallup Poll – as highlighted in Government Executive last week – looked at just how...
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Aug 13, 2013HUD Announces Plan to Cut Furlough Days by Two
The latest in a long list of agencies reducing furloughs in recent days, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Friday that it would be cancelling two furlough days. The move drops total furlough days at the Department down to five from the originally scheduled seven....
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Aug 2, 2013Senate Committee Approves One Percent Pay Boost for Defense Civilian Employees
The Senate Thursday approved a measure to boost defense civilian pay by one percent in 2014, potentially breaking the current three-year freeze. The increase was included in the Senate version of the Fiscal Year 2014 Defense Appropriations Act, which is why it only impacts those working at DoD....
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Jul 29, 2013NFFE is Proud to Announce Amy Burns as Our New National Business Representative!
Out of a deep and talented field of applicants, NFFE this week is proud to announce that NFFE Local 2 member Amy Burns has been selected for the position of National Business Representative (BR). Effective July 29th Burns will service the Midwest region as depicted on the map below. Burns brings...
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Jul 29, 2013Join NFFE-IAM to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington
On August 24, 2013 the civil rights, labor, and religious communities will come together in Washington, D.C. for the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington. The original march, organized by Bayard Rusin and A. Philip Randolph, provided the setting for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I...
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Jul 25, 2013Ready, Set, Snap! NFFE Announces First Annual Photo Contest
This year NFFE will be hosting a photo contest to celebrate the hard work done by all the NFFE-IAM members throughout the country. The NFFE community hosts a vast array of occupations and talents, and we want to celebrate your work by capturing it on film! We are happy to announce that this...
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Jul 25, 2013After Long Struggle, Downtown SAMs Finally Achieve First Contract
Nearly four years ago in July of 2009, 120 brave workers stood up to their company’s difficult working conditions and voted to form a Union. Today NFFE-IAM is proud to announce that the Downtown SAMs have officially ratified their contract, and are now full members of the National Federation of...
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Jul 24, 2013Lawmakers Take Big Step Toward Eliminating Defense Furloughs in 2014
With three furlough days already in the books for most Defense employees, the urgency of bringing an end to the senseless policy is stronger than ever. After immense pressure from federal employees and their unions, Congress is finally starting to heed the will of the people and address the...
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Jul 19, 2013Opportunities Abound for Retired NFFE-IAM Members
Union membership is not just a club – it’s a movement to secure workers’ rights and dignity in the workplace. NFFE-IAM members proudly carry this Union spirit to work each and every day, making a difference for thousands of federal workers with each passing sunset. But what opportunities...
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Jul 18, 2013Job Announcement: NFFE Seeks Staff Assistant for National Office
Want to be a part of a growing, dynamic, and vocal union advocate for federal employees? Then the National Federation of Federal Employees is the place for you. We are currently hiring a new Staff Assistant to manage our front desk and assist senior staff in projects of national strategic...
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Jul 15, 2013Georgia Congressman Introduces Measure to End Defense Furloughs
Thousands of letters poured into Capitol Hill this month from federal workers across all 50 states as NFFE-IAM members and others demanded Congress deliver a solution to reckless Defense furloughs. Now it appears that at least one member of Congress took it to heart. Last week Rep. John Barrow...
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Jul 1, 2013New Edition of the 'Federal Employee' Newsletter Now Available!
This year's second edition of the National Federation of Federal Employees' (NFFE) quarterly newsletter, the Federal Employee, is now available! Featuring a detailed view of the updated organizing and recruiting strategic plan, this edition focuses on what all NFFE-IAM members can do to build our...
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Jul 1, 2013Sign Our Letter to Tell Congress: Stop the Furloughs at Defense!
Starting July 8th, mandatory furloughs for upwards of 700,000 Department of Defense workers will go into effect. Each worker is required to take 11 unpaid furlough days - one per week - meaning their pay will drop 20% for 11 weeks. We can't allow this to continue. Use the letter below to...
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Jun 26, 201331 Members of Congress Send Letter to Defense Demanding Answers on Furloughs
A bipartisan group of 31 House members sent a letter to Department of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel recently demanding answers on the proposed furloughs of thousands of Defense Working Capital Fund (DWCF) employees. Unlike other Defense employees that are funded by Congressional appropriations,...
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Jun 19, 2013Submit Your Photos Now for the 2013 IAM Photo Contest!
The new deadline to enter the 2013 IAM Photo Contest is now Friday, July 5, 2013. All NFFE members are encouraged to submit photos demonstrating the critical services they deliver to the American public every day. For the 2013 Photo Contest, photos must be taken of and by members in good...
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Jun 11, 2013Hone Your Representational Skills at the New NFFE Rep Center!
Let’s face it – being a union representative is a tough job. There is so much to learn but so little time to actually sit down and learn it. Now, NFFE National is proud to announce an all-new online resource that gives you the tools you need to get the job done – the NFFE Rep Center! The...
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Jun 6, 2013Phased Retirement for Federal Workers Moves One Step Closer to Reality
Since its approval 11 months ago, legislation allowing federal workers to phase into retirement has undergone a long process of regulatory writing and editing. This week, the proposed regulations have finally been issued, bringing the promise of a smoother transition into retirement that much...
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May 30, 2013Two Key Federal Spending Bills Keep Federal Pay Frozen through 2014
The House Appropriations Committee this week approved two fiscal year 2014 funding measures which failed to include an increase in federal pay. Though there are still other opportunities to give federal workers a much-needed pay adjustment, it appears the House will remain a formidable obstacle....
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May 23, 2013A Memorial Day Message from the NFFE Military Veterans Committee
On behalf of the NFFE Military Veterans Committee, Chairman Dave Chevalier offers the following Memorial Day message for all of our Veterans, their families and friends, as well as all our BUEs: Memorial Day came into recognition after the U.S. Civil War. Originally called Decoration Day by those...
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May 22, 2013Legislative Conference Photos are Now Available! View the Album Here
It was another impactful week in Washington, D.C. as NFFE representatives held more than 250 meetings with lawmakers during the 2013 IAM Legislative Conference. Lobbying elected officials on issues such as pay, benefits, jobs, and hiring reform, NFFE members certainly made the most of their brief...
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May 21, 2013Help FEEA Help Federal Employees Impacted by Extreme Weather
It's been a rough week for feds across the country, with news stories vilifying agencies and individuals. This public perception makes your job harder as a fed and it makes FEEA's job harder too -- most people outside government don't understand the importance of our mission to help federal...
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May 16, 2013Administration Orders Extensive Study of Gender Pay Gap in Federal Workforce
President Obama this week released a memo to federal agency leadership calling for a government-wide effort to reduce the gender pay gap in the federal workforce. With the study, the Administration hopes to find answers to this persistent disparity despite the government’s extensive efforts to...
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May 14, 2013Defense Secretary: DoD Employee Furlough Days Reduced from 14 to 11
The Department of Defense announced today that it will be reducing the number of mandatory furloughs for employees from 14 days to 11. This is down from a total of 22 anticipated furlough days originally scheduled for the departments 800,000 employees. The latest announcement, delivered at an...
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May 13, 2013Legislative Conference 2013 is Officially Underway!
After months of preparation the 2013 IAM Legislative Conference has officially arrived. As you read this, hundreds of NFFE-IAM members are meeting in Washington, D.C to kick off a week of lobbying elected officials and networking with leaders in labor and politics. At the top of NFFE’s...
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May 10, 2013Temporary Seasonal Wildland Firefighters - We Want YOU!
NFFE was proud to lead the campaign that won health insurance benefits for wildland firefighters and their families for the first time ever last year. We wanted to share with you some key information on who’s eligible, how to sign up, and how to contact your local union representative. Visit...
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May 10, 2013From the Desk of the Legislative Director: NFFE Position Papers
Monday, May 13th is the start of the 2013 IAM Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. We will have NFFE-IAM members from across the country on Capitol Hill all week lobbying lawmakers on the issues that impact federal employees and working families. There have been numerous anti-federal worker...
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May 9, 2013Upgrade Your Communications Skills with AFL-CIO’s #1u Communications Program!
Without a strong communications program, there is no union. You can’t join a union that you do not know exists, right? Better yet, you wouldn’t want to join a union that you do know exists, but never hear from. This is why educating ourselves on the art of member communications is so...
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May 8, 2013Pentagon Official: BRAC, Job Cuts Coming to Defense Next Year
A recent write-up in Government Executive detailed a Tuesday speech from Deputy Secretary Ashton Carter detailing a disturbing 2014 outlook for the Department of Defense (DoD). For Defense employees already facing 14 furlough days this year, the news comes at a very difficult time. At the press...
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May 7, 2013Federal Employees Fleeing for the Door as Cuts to Pay, Benefits Take their Toll
Two-hundred and nineteen thousand, two hundred and twenty. That is the number of federal employees who left the federal government last year – more than 10% of the total workforce – according to Government Executive. This paints a stark picture of the state of the federal government and the...
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May 3, 2013HUD Announces Closure of Dozens of Field Offices under Reorganization
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) last week announced a major reorganization that will result in the closure of dozens of offices throughout the country. Targeting the Office of Multifamily Housing Programs and the Office of Field Policy and Management, the proposed...
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May 2, 2013REMINDER: Legislative Conference is Just Two Weeks Away
Sick and tired of politicians badmouthing federal employees? Ready to stand up and correct the record? Well in two weeks you will have your chance. Do your part to make a difference by joining us May 13-16, 2013 for the IAMAW’s Legislative Conference here in Washington. Lobbying elected...
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May 2, 2013Contractor Executive Pay Soars as Federal Employees Near Rock Bottom
If you are prone to anger or sudden bursts of outrage, please look away from your screen. According to a recent piece in the Federal Times, lead executives at some of the largest government contractors are not just seeing their pay increase, but seeing it increase by millions in the space of just...
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Apr 24, 2013REMINDER: Deadline for 2013 IAM Newsletter and Website Contest is May 10th
The 2013 IAM Newsletter and Website Competition is underway, and we’re asking all NFFE locals to enter their newsletter, websites, and Facebook pages today! NFFE locals and the national office smashed records with a total of 19 awards last time, and we’re looking for an even more impressive...
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Apr 24, 2013Lots of Argument but Few Solutions from Capitol Hill on Ending Furloughs
While it appears progress is being made on ending furloughs for air traffic controllers, there’s been no such luck for the more than a million other federal workers facing furloughs this year. The only two “serious” plans to be introduced in Congress thus far, one by each party, were both...
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Apr 18, 2013DoD to Ask Congress for New Budget Authorities to Reduce Furloughs
According to a recent report in Government Executive, the Department of Defense (DoD) plans to request substantial ‘budget transfer authority’ to reduce the impacts of sequestration. This authority, if granted, could give DoD the flexibility it needs to further reduce or eliminate employee...
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Apr 18, 2013Federal Employees on Edge with Furloughs Officially Underway
First it was years, then it was months, then weeks; but now, the furloughs have finally arrived and workers are starting to feel the long-anticipated financial pinch. This week thousands of federal employees at the Department of Labor began the first of up to eight days of unpaid furlough days...
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Apr 11, 2013Defense Official: 12,000 Job Cuts Coming to DoD Next Year
The Department of Defense is prepared to cut nearly 12,000 jobs next year according to Defense Comptroller Robert Hale. The cuts will come as the first of 40,000-50,000 job cuts scheduled to take effect over the next five years. According to a recent report from the Federal Times, the Department...
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Apr 5, 2013NFFE Local 2109 Members Take to the Streets to Demonstrate Against Furloughs
Yesterday, more than 100 Watervliet Arsenal employees hit the streets to demonstrate against 14 days of mandatory sequestration furloughs. The message was clear: federal workers have given enough already.
Organized by NFFE Local 2109, the informational picket targeted furloughs and other...
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Apr 5, 2013Report: Obama Budget Proposal to Include $35 Billion in Federal Retirement Cuts
President Obama is planning to include upwards of $35 billion in cuts to federal retirement in his forthcoming budget proposal, according to the Washington Post. The plan was revealed in a conference with White House reporters where Administration staff briefed newsmakers on the details of his...
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Apr 4, 2013RIFs May be Coming to DoD Next Year if Sequestration Cuts Continue
With billions more in sequestration cuts to meet next year, senior Department of Defense (DoD) officials are suggesting reductions in force may be necessary to meet the strict budget targets. In a recent webinar organized by the Association of Government Accountants, DoD Comptroller Robert Hale...
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Apr 1, 2013New 'Federal Employee' Newsletter Now Available!
This year's first edition of the National Federation of Federal Employees' (NFFE) quarterly newsletter, the Federal Employee, is now available! Featuring a detailed list of the latest anti-federal worker proposals to come out of Congress (furloughs anyone?), this edition focuses on what ordinary...
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Mar 29, 2013Defense Furlough Days Reduced from 22 to 14
In a surprise announcement this week, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced that it would reduce the number of mandatory employee furlough days from 22 to 14. The announcement came after DoD reviewed new funding changes included in the recently-passed continuing resolution. Due to a revised...
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Mar 27, 2013Obama Signs Funding Bill Including 2013 Pay Freeze into Law
Following the approval of both the House and Senate last week, President Obama signed into law a continuing resolution to fund the government through the remainder of 2013. The measure prevents a government shutdown, but also includes a provision freezing federal pay through the remainder of the...
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Mar 22, 2013Defense Furlough Notices Delayed Two Weeks; Fewer Furlough Days a Possibility
Thursday, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced that it would be delaying the issuance of furlough notices to hundreds of thousands of civilian employees in response to questions over funding shifts in the latest continuing resolution. Passed by the Senate and confirmed by the House late this...
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Mar 20, 2013Get Expert Union Advice from Your National Business Representative!
As Unionists we have all run into situations where we simply don’t have the requisite knowledge or experience to effectively conduct our representational duties and union functions. In times like these NFFE representatives can turn to their personal labor-relations and internal union expert:...
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Mar 15, 2013NFFE Welcomes New Assistant General Counsel Philip Snodgrass
NFFE is committed to ensuring that all of our members get the best representation possible. But as our union continues to grow, so too do the representational challenges we face. Keeping up with the demands of a rapidly-growing membership base, NFFE is proud to announce the hiring of a new...
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Mar 13, 2013Engage Your Members by Starting a Local Facebook Page!
The communications landscape has changed rapidly over the past decade. Without a doubt, one of the most influential shifts has been the emergence of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Among the more than 1 billion regular social media users across the world are NFFE...
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Mar 5, 2013Sequestration Cuts Have Entered Effect: What Happens Now?
It’s official: On Friday, March 1st, $85 billion in automatic sequestration cuts have taken effect. So what happens next? Rather than a sudden hit to federal payrolls, sequestration will take the better part of the next two months to enter effect, depending on your agency. Here’s a quick...
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Feb 21, 2013DoD to Labor Leaders: No Furloughs Until April 26th, Some Employees Exempt
On a conference call with labor representatives early Wednesday, DoD Assistant Secretary for Readiness and Force Management Frederick Vollrath revealed new details about the Department’s furlough plans in the event sequestration is allowed to hit March 1st. According to the most recent...
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Feb 13, 2013REMINDER: Deadline for 2013 IAM Newsletter and Website Contest is May 10th
The 2013 IAM Newsletter and Website Competition is underway, and we’re asking all NFFE locals to enter their newsletter, websites, and Facebook pages today! NFFE locals and the national office smashed records with a total of 19 awards last time, and we’re looking for an even more impressive...
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Feb 11, 2013President Obama to Request 1 Percent Pay Boost in FY 2014 Budget
On a conference call with the Administration Friday afternoon, NFFE was informed that President Obama intends to include a one percent federal pay increase in his Fiscal Year 2014 budget request. The request comes on the heels of a spirited battle between the President and Congress over the 2013...
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Feb 8, 2013A Letter from National President Dougan: Support the United Way
For over 65 years the AFL-CIO and its partners in the labor community have worked with the United Way to build stronger, more prosperous families and communities. With so many workers today struggling to make ends meet, it is more important than ever to continue supporting this partnership by...
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Feb 6, 2013President Obama Signs Bill Lifting Federal Borrowing Limit through May
President Obama Tuesday signed a measure suspending the federal debt ceiling through May 18th, delaying what is expected to be another intense debate. The bill also included a “No Budget No Pay” provision to encourage members of Congress to pass a budget on time this year. The bill originated...
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Jan 30, 2013NFFE National Veterans Committee Sets Ambitious Course at First Meeting
Last week, the new NFFE National Veterans Committee held their first conference call to lay out plans for improving awareness and engagement on Veterans’ issues within the federal workforce. Led by interim-Chair David Chevalier, the committee boasts more than a dozen members from NFFE locals...
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Jan 29, 2013It’s Tax Season: Don’t Forget to Deduct Your Union Dues!
Tax season is officially here! I know, please hold your applause. Yes, it’s never a fun thing to do with your time, but we have a tip that could make your tax return just a bit brighter this year. Did you know that union members who itemize their deductions are permitted to deduct their union...
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Jan 24, 2013House Passes Temporary Debt Ceiling Relief with “No Budget, No Pay” Provision
Wednesday the House voted to temporarily lift the federal debt limit until May, putting off a major political showdown between the two parties next month. One key provision of measure – known as “No Budget, No Pay” – would temporarily cease payments to members of Congress if a budget is...
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Jan 22, 2013Vote to Freeze Federal Pay through 2013 Delayed by House Leadership
Late Friday afternoon, House Republican leadership backtracked on its plans to hold a vote on a federal pay freeze this week. Due to intense pressure from federal employees and their union representatives, the measure has since been removed from the legislative calendar indefinitely. The measure,...
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Jan 18, 2013It’s Not Too Early to Prepare for Legislative Conference 2013
Lobbying elected officials is critical in our efforts to improve the lives of federal workers across the country. With the NFFE National Office turning the wheels of power in Washington, D.C., our mission is to ensure that our elected leaders act in the best interest of federal workers and their...
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Jan 18, 2013Congress to Vote Next Week on Bill Extending Federal Pay Freeze Through 2013
Just days into the new 113th Congress, one freshman legislator is looking to make his name off the back of federal employees. This week, Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla), and 28 other house Republicans introduced a bill (H.R. 273) to freeze federal pay for a third consecutive year. The measure, which...
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Jan 14, 2013January 31 Deadline for Thousands in Union Plus Scholarships Fast Approaching
You still have time to apply for a 2013 Union Plus Scholarship. The deadline for applications is January 31. This year's application is entirely online. Scholarships are from $500 to $4,000 and do not require repayment. Since 1992, some 2,200 families have benefited from the Union Plus...
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Jan 11, 2013Professional Pre-Retirement Training Now Available for NFFE-IAM Members
The purpose of this communication is to advise NFFE-IAM membership of a special service now available to NFFE-IAM members preparing for retirement. Double Health USA (DHUSA) is providing free individual pre-retirement counseling to our members. DHUSA IAMAW Pre-Retirement Planning provides...
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Jan 7, 2013New Edition of the 'Federal Employee' Newsletter Now Available!
2012's final edition of the National Federation of Federal Employees' (NFFE) quarterly newsletter, the Federal Employee, is now available!Featuring news and photos from NFFE's 49th National Convention, this edition paints a detailed picture of what the next four years will look like for NFFE, and...
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Jan 4, 2013Obama Orders End to Federal Pay Freeze; Congress Says ‘Not So Fast’
Last month, President Obama issued an executive order bringing an end to the more than two-year federal pay freeze. Effective March 27th, 2013, federal workers will see a pay increase of 0.5%; a small sum, but more than anything federal employees have seen since 2010. In the closing days of the...
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Jan 2, 2013What the Fiscal Cliff Deal Means for Federal Employees
As many of us were ringing in the New Year with family and friends, Washington was the site of feverish activity surrounding the so-called ‘fiscal cliff.’ In the wee hours of New Year’s Day, the Senate passed a compromise agreement, which was passed by the House later that evening. With the...
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Dec 20, 2012Provision Slashing 36,000 Defense Jobs Survives Conference Committee
The Department of Defense (DoD) would be required to reduce the number of civilian and contractor employees by 5% under the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), approved by a House-Senate conference committee Tuesday. In total, the reduction is expected to eliminate as many as 36,000...
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Dec 18, 2012Federal Employees Day of Action is TODAY! Click Here to Do Your Part
Federal Employees Day of Action is finally here and the momentum is already starting to build. Federal workers from all across the country are signing letters to congress, calling their elected officials, and building awareness on social media. Why are so many federal employees stepping up and...
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Dec 18, 2012IAM Announces Opening of 2013 Photography Contest – Submit your Photos Today!
This is the official announcement of the 2013 IAM Photography Contest. It is open to all IAM members in good standing. Entries should catch IAM members at work in non-posed photos. Winning entries will win a cash prize and will appear in the 2014 IAM Calendar. Two dollars from each calendar sale...
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Dec 6, 2012Senate Approves Defense Bill Including Workforce Cuts, Contractor Pay Caps
The Senate this week approved its version of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, a Department of Defense (DoD) appropriations measure to fund next year’s Defense activities. The controversial bill included a civilian workforce reduction of 5% and a cap on contractor executive salaries....
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Dec 4, 2012Senate Supports Measure to Reform Hatch Act, Soften Penalties
The U.S. Senate Friday unanimously passed the 2012 Hatch Act Modernization Act, a measure to reform the Hatch Act for the first time in nearly 20 years. Among other key changes, the legislation lightens penalties for offenders and loosens restrictions for state and local employees seeking elected...
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Nov 26, 2012NFFE and Other Groups Call on Elected Officials to Spare Feds from Further Cuts
In a letter sent to the Congressional leadership, NFFE and other federal employee organizations urged the exclusion of federal workers from deeper cuts to pay and benefits. The message: feds have already sacrificed enough. Organized by the Federal-Postal coalition, the letter gained the...
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Nov 16, 2012NFFE’s Young Federal Leaders Initiative Ready for Action with New Strategic Plan
There’s no question that NFFE’s Young Federal Leaders (YFL) initiative is gathering steam. At locals throughout the country, YFL materials are starting to make their way onto local bulletin boards, websites, and social media pages. At the national level, the YFL National Committee has grown...
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Nov 13, 2012NFFE Members Save Big with Member-Only Insurance Benefits
One of the many benefits of NFFE membership is exclusive access to discounted products and services through organizations like Union Plus, Apple, and Geico. Arguably the best benefit offered to NFFE members also happens to be one of the least known: supplemental insurance benefits. Through...
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Nov 9, 2012A Veterans Day Message from the Desk of the President
Veterans Day is a day to celebrate and honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to sacrifice for the common good. It provides an opportunity for us to remember and honor the sacrifices our veterans have made in defending our country and protecting the...
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Oct 31, 2012Special Message from FEEA: FEEA Stands Ready to Assist Feds Affected by Sandy
With Hurricane Sandy bearing down on the East Coast, the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) stands ready to assist civilian federal and postal employees impacted by the storm. Disaster grants of up to $500 will be available to employees in hard-hit areas experiencing verifiable...
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Oct 25, 2012FLRA and MSPB Training Slides from NFFE Convention Now Available!
At NFFE’s 49th National Convention earlier this month, we were lucky to have the leaders from both the Federal Labor Relations Authority and Merit Systems Protection Board join us to deliver trainings. These trainings were widely popular with those in attendance. Now you can have a look at them...
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Oct 25, 2012Federal Salary Council Finds Big Jump as Public-Private Pay Gap Hits 34.6%
The Federal Salary Council (FSC) recently announced findings from its annual report on the public-private pay gap, and the numbers are eye popping. In the matter of just one year, the private sector pay premium shot up from 26.3% to 34.6%. For federal employees working comparable jobs to these...
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Oct 10, 2012New 'Federal Employee' Newsletter Now Available!
This year's third edition of the National Federation of Federal Employees' (NFFE) quarterly newsletter, the Federal Employee, is now available! Featuring a side by side comparison of the presidential candidates’ positions on key federal worker issues like pay and retirement, this edition paints...
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Oct 8, 2012Photos from NFFE’s 49th National Convention are Now Available! Get Them Here
NFFE’s 49th National Convention, held in Portland, Oregon, came and went in the blink of an eye. Didn’t get a chance to be there yourself? Don’t worry, because you can view the entire weeklong Convention in just one photo album.
Below you can find the official Convention album...
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Oct 4, 2012The Day that Was: A Recap of Day Two of the 49th NFFE National Convention
After a rousing day of speeches by luminaries in government and labor, Day two impressed in equal measure with appearances by Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry, Federal Labor Relations Authority Chair Carol Waller Pope, and Merit Systems Protection Board Chair Susan Tsui...
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Oct 2, 2012The Day that Was: A Recap of Day One of the NFFE National Convention
Day one of the 49th NFFE National Convention is officially in the books, and the mood inside the convention hall here in Portland, OR could only be described as emotional. Packed with speeches from labor leaders within and outside of NFFE, the message of the day was clear: there is strength in...
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Oct 1, 2012NFFE National Convention Officially Kicks Off!
It’s official – after four years of hard work by our locals and national office, the 49th NFFE National Convention is officially under way! Held at the historic Benson Hotel in Portland, Oregon, the Convention will continue through October 4th. Be on the lookout for the latest Convention news...
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Sep 21, 2012FEEA Helping the Families of Fallen Diplomats
The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) honors our fallen diplomats, working to recognize their service and sacrifice by providing educational assistance to surviving children through FEEA's Diplomatic Fund. The Fund was set up by the Department of State and the Department of...
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Sep 10, 2012Budget Experts: Forthcoming Sequestration Cuts Will Result in Furloughs in 2013
Several leading budget experts believe that next year’s massive sequestration cuts will result in furloughs and RIFs at many federal agencies, according a recent piece in Government Executive magazine. The experts, speaking at the magazine’s annual Excellence in Government conference last...
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Sep 5, 2012REMINDER: 49th NFFE National Convention is Just Around the Corner
As summer comes to a close, we are now less than one month away from the beginning of the 49th NFFE National Convention. Scheduled for October 1-4, 2012, the union’s quadrennial Convention will take place at the historic Benson Hotel in downtown Portland. Time is running out, so locals are...
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Aug 31, 2012From the Desk of the President: Honoring Those Who Labor
We celebrate the proud history of all workers across the country this Labor Day. No matter what your job is, the collective efforts of us all make this nation strong and safe. On this day, we acknowledge the contributions of the men and women who came before us; who toiled and sacrificed to...
National President William R. Douganmore...

Aug 29, 2012FEEA Stands Ready to Assist Feds Affected by Hurricane Isaac
With Hurricane Isaac pummeling the Gulf Coast, the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) stands ready to assist civilian federal and postal employees impacted by the storm. Disaster grants of up to $500 will be available to employees in hard-hit areas. Employees in need of help...
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Aug 23, 2012Federal Pay Freeze Extension: What it Means for Your Wallet
As many of you have likely heard by now, earlier this week the White House issued a letter to Congress calling for a three-month extension of the federal pay freeze. Here’s what you need to know about the extension and how it impacts you. The federal pay freeze, beginning in January 1, 2011,...
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Aug 14, 2012Detailed Agenda for 49th NFFE National Convention Now Available!
The NFFE National Office today released a detailed agenda for members planning to attend the 49th NFFE National Convention in Portland, Oregon. Attendees and other non-attendee members can access the agenda by clicking here. Scheduled for Oct. 1-4, members from across the nation are encouraged to...
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Aug 2, 2012REMINDER: Credential Forms for 49th NFFE National Convention Due August 15th
NFFE’s 49th National Convention is just a two short months away. By now, locals should have received their credential forms, and started making arrangements for delegates to represent their members in Portland this fall. Credential forms were mailed to every NFFE local on June 1, 2012. These...
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Aug 2, 2012Congress Reaches Deal on Six Month Stop-Gap Spending Measure to Avoid Shutdown
Good news, federal employees: It appears we will not have another government shutdown scare when the fiscal year expires on September 30, 2012. According to Government Executive, Congressional leaders from both parties have agreed to a six month stop-gap spending measure to keep the government...
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